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JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS 



f 



By FRANKLIN B. DEXTER, LiTT.D. 




Reprinted from 

Papers of the New Haven Colony Historical Society 

Volume IX 



NEW HAVEN 
1918 









.ifcr^ 



\%'\'^m 



A SELP]CTION FROM THE CORRESPONDENCE 

AND MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS OF 

JARED INGERSOLL. 

Edited by Franklin^ B. Dexter. 



The Hon. Jared Ingersoll died in New Haven in 1781, and 
his estate was settled by his son, a resident of Philadelphia ; 
but a large collection of his personal papers was left in New 
Ha-^en in the keeping of his nephew, the Hon. Jonathan Inger- 
soll, on the death of whose grandson, the Hon. Charles R. 
Ingersoll, in 1903, they were presented to the New Haven 
Colony Historical Society, under whose authority this selection 
is now printed. 

In providing the necessary annotations, the editor has had the 
great advantage of the assistance of another member of the 
Society, Professor Charles M. Andrews, whose superior knowl- 
edge of the period under review is universally acknowledged. 

The Society is fortunate in having obtained, through the 
kindness of Dr. Arthur Fairbanks, the Director of the Museum 
of Fine Arts in Boston, permission for the reproduction of a 
portrait of Mr. Ingersoll, in the possession of his descendant, 
Mr. Ingersoll Amory, of Boston, which is believed to have been 
painted by Copley in New York in 1771, when the subject was 
in his 50th year. Charles Henry Hart, LL.B., the well-known 
art-expert of Philadelphia, wrote of this portrait in 1879 : 

The portrait of Mr. Ingersoll is a superb painting, forty by fifty inches^ 
in Copley's best manner. It is three-quarter length, facing to right. He 
is represented as sitting in a large green chair, with his right arm resting 
upon a richly-bound book, which lies upon a table with a polished green 
top; in his right hand he holds a paper. The table is rich mahogany, with 
brass handles to the drawer, and on it are books and writing materials. 
He is dressed in full court suit, a scarlet coat with large gilt buttons, 



202 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1743-56. 



garnet-coloured knee-breeches, lace ruffles, dressing and sword. He wears 
a long white satin Avaistcoat, elaborately embroidered, with buttons, a 
cambric neckerchief with long lace ends falling inside his vest, which is 
unbuttoned at the top. His left hand, which is wonderfully well painted, 
rests on his knee. 



I. N"ew Haveis^ 1743-1756. 

The documents here included have been selected to illustrate 
the setting of Mr. Ingersoll's career in the years after his 
graduation from Yale in 1742, to his entrance on public life. 



Acc°. OF Han]s^ah Ingersoll alias Whiting,* 
Advance in Settlement 



1744 Octobi" & so forward 



8. 


3.2V2 


2. 


12.6 


0. 


7.6 


0. 


6.0 


0. 


9.0 


4. 


17.0 


3. 


11.0 


5. 


5.0 



Brass Kettle 7.19.0 

Iron pot 26/ frying 

[. . .] 23/ 2. 9.0 

pail 3/6 1014 yd Callico 

f® 15/7 
lOib Sheeps wool @ 5/3 

peice of tape 
2 pint basons @ 3/ 
1/^ Doz. pewter Spoons 
tin Cullender 5/ 
23 [. . .] 92/ 
I4115. 3 oz feathers @ 5/ 
211b. Do. @ 5/ 

bed tick weaving 12 ^A yd 

@ 3/ 1.17.6 

weaving 11^ yd. linnen 

@ 2/ 1.3.0 

Do. 25 yd. @ 2/6 3.2.6 

Cash for Wid^^. Pierce 0. 4.6 
tea pot 28/ bellows 13/ 2.01.0 
pr tongs & pealf 1. 3.0 



* Mr. Ingersoll married, on August 1, 1743, Hannah, eldest child of the 
Hon. Colonel Joseph Whiting, of New Haven. 

Here is given his memorandum of the value of the household furnishings 
which she brought as her dowry. The reckoning seems to be in Connecticut 
old tenor. 

t Or peel ^ shovel. 



% Doz: large plates 


£2, 


.15.0 


yo Doz. Do. 


2. 


, 2.6 


2 Dishes @ 28/ 


2. 


16.0 


2 Do. @ 23/ 


2. 


, 6.0 


Small Do. 


0. 


,17.0 


2 porringers @ 7/ 


0. 


14.0 


pr. Iron Candlesticks 


0. 


7.0 


Skimmer 


0. 


10.0 


warming pan 


3. 


10.0 


Iron Skillet 


0. 


9.0 


Sett, tea dishes & bowl 


s 1. 


12.6 


Bed ticken 


8. 


2.0 


18 yds. Callico @ 14/ 


12. 


12.0 


looking glass 


17. 


0.0 


Box iron & heater 


1. 


5.0 


Stone mug 4/6 2ibs 






[missing] 


0. 


14.6 


7 yds. Callico @ 15/7 


5. 


9.1 


41b: Cottonwool @ 6/ 


1. 


4.0 


1 Dish 15/ 1/2 Doz. N. 






[. . .]ates 27/6 


2. 


2.6 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 17-13-56. 



203 



red Earthen ware 1 . 

3 drinking glasses 0. 

Square whitewood table 2 . 
Bedstead 35/ Statia* 

glass 50/ 4. 

blanket .30/ Carding 4/7 1 . 
tea kettle £5. bason 13/ 5. 



11.2 
5.0 
0.0 

5.0 
14.7 
13.0 
5.6 
4.0 



Ladle 1/ Seive 4/G 0. 

Earthen ware 0. 
round table 50/ old 

trunk 10/ 3.0.0 
Rugg 5.15.6 Coverlid 

5£ 10.15.6 

4 y<ls tow Cloth (?/ 5/ 1.0.0 
pr great handirons wt. 

201^ @ 1/9 1.15.0 

peal 41b i/j (q> l/i) 0.8.0 
tongs 31/^ib trammelf 

7115 0.18.41/2 
Chest draws & dressing 

table 26. 0.0 
y2 Doz. Crown Chairs @ 

15/ 4.10.0 

1/2 Doz. York Do. @ 12/ 3.12.0 

1/2 Do. Slat Do. @ 10/ 3. 0.0 
weaving pr. white 

blankets 0.12.0 

nib. feathers (a 5/ 4. 5.0 

Allowed to be 350 .0.0 



lOlb. Do. (q 5/6 
Chaffing Dish 
gridiron 
Chinee Curtains 
pr Small hand irons 
wt 71b 



2.15.0 
1. 0.0 
0.12.0 
5. 0.0 



old Chest 



0.12.3 

216.12.0 
1.12.0 
Silver tankard wt. 20 o^. 

gross 58.13.0 

2 pr Curtain rods 3. 0.0 

4 tea spoons 4. 5.0 

2 old holland Sheets 6 . 0.0 

1 Cotton old Do. 2.10.0 

1 old Linnen Do. 1 . 5.0 

1 pr. old holland pillow 

beer$ 0.15.0 

1 holld. towel 12/2 Do. 

Napkin 1.12.0 

2 Diapr. Do. 1 Do. Damask 1.16.0 



More tow Cloth 



81. 


8.0 


1. 


0.0 


82. 


8.0 


216. 


12.0 



299. 0.0 



Jared Ingersoll 



Deposition in the case of Hon. Wariiam Mather. 

Jared Ingersoll of ]^ew Haven of Lawfnll Age Testifies as 
follows, viz. — In the fall of y" Year 1743, I removed from Col- 
lege where I had lived about five years, & settled down an Inhab- 
itant in the Town of ]Srew Haven. During my Stay at College 
I by Sight only, knew the late Warham Mather § Esq'', now Dec''. 

* A glass brought from Saint Eustatius, in the Dutch West Indies. 

t A series of links hung in the chimney, for pots to hang on. 

t = pillow case. 

§ Warham Mather (Harvard Coll. 1685). born 1666, died 1745. had settled 
in Xew Haven about 1705, to take care of his wife's mother, the widow of 
John Davenport, Jr. Here he practiced medicine, and also held a judgeship. 



204 JAKED INC4EESOLL PAPERS, 1743-56. 

having then never spoke to him as I Remember. Upon my 
settling in said Town as afores*^ which I think was toward the 
End of Oetob''. 1743, as niv Circumstances & business then Led 
me to an Acquaintance (S: Correspondence with manv of the 
Inhabitants of s*^. Town, many of them the s*^. ]\r. Mathers 
Intimate Acquaintance, I heard it Repeatedly said by one & 
another — how strangely lU. Mather is broken !, M^ Mather is 
become a mear Child, & Expressions of like Import. Some time 
after this while the County Court sat at Kew Haven, Col^ 
Whiting"'^ told me that M''. Mather had sent to him desiring to 
see him. He y*". s^\ Col\ Whiting being not very able himself 
to walk, Desired me to wait upon M''. Mather to know his mind. 
I went, did my Errand to M^. Mather, he made Reply to what 
I said but so brokenly I could understand scarce any thing he 
said. After a little pause spake again brokenly & gave me a 
written paper ; which I carried to Court & delivered to CoP. 
Whiting, who Attempted to read it but could read only here & 
there a word ; where he could read, the Sence much uncon- 
nected ; he found out in general that a Conservator was y® 
burden of y*^ Story, it seemed to be a Remonstrance against one, 
there being at that time a Motion by Somebody as I was 
Informed, made to said Court about a Conservator to be 
appointed over s^. Mather. I could not read scarce a word of 
s"^. Letter my self, which might possibly be Owing to this that 
M^. Mathers usual hand writing was very bad, but I Remember 
Col\ Whiting said that he had been so used to his writing that 
he could Usually heretofore read it with Ease. At what time 
this was I Dare not possitively say, but upon the best Recol- 
lection think it was in Janu^': 1743/4. In the fall of y^ Year 
1744, viz about the Latter End of Octob''. or beginning of Xov^. 
1744 (as to the time I am able by Certain Circumstances to 
Inform my Self I think with Certainty) having heard that ]\P. 

The inventory of liis estate includes a remarkably detailed list of theological 
books, remnants of the libraries of his clerical ancestors. 

Other affidavits respecting his loss of mind are preserved among the 
Ingersoll papers. 

* Col. Joseph ^Yhiting was i\Ir. IngersoU's father-in-law. 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1743-56. 205 

Mather had some Law Books to be sold I went in order to get 
some ; went first to ]\F. Tim°. Jones s having heard that he 
managed M'". Mathers bnsiness by a power of Attorney, he not 
being at home as I Remember, I went alone to M''. Mathers 
honse, found him sitting alone by a small fire in an Elbow Chair 
with his hat on, partly leaning on his Staff. I spake to him, y^ 
s'*. Mather, upon which he slowly turned his head round & 
Looked toward me. I Informed him that I was Desirous to see 
his books hearing they were to be sold, he Answered me in sev- 
eral words of which I understood only y^ word Chamber, by 
which I supposed he meant to say y*^ books were up Chamber, 
upon that I went up Chamber, found a Large Library. Looked 
among 'Em about half an hour, then went down again, found 
M^ Mather sitting as before, told him I had found no books that 
suited me & that I had took none — Upon that after a short pause 
«fc Intently looking me in the face, he said, who be you 'I I told 
him my name was Ingersoll — but supposing he might not know 
me by my name only, I added that I lived in the Town & that I 
married one of CoP. Whitings Daughters, Concluding that by 
mentioning Col^ Whiting his Intimate Acquaintance & my Rela- 
tion to him which he had Doubtless many a time heard of, that 
he would have had a Satisfying Knowledge of me, but upon my 
so saying, he turned his head toward the fire & after a pause of 
about half a minute k seeming Intense thinking, he said Slowly, 
Colonel Whiting ! Where does he live I I was somewhat sur- 
prized that he should not know him, took pains to bring him to 
his remembrance but to no purpose. He asked whether he had 
any Sons, & a number of Questions about things which I sup- 
posed he must have fully known. All at once he broke off from 
talking about Col^ Whiting & asked me if I had not heard of a 
great whale being Catch't in the harbour y^ Day before. I told 
him no ; upon that he went on talking strange k Confused things 
about a whale being Catch*, y® Day before &c. I said no more 
to him, but only after Viewing him a Small Space as a ruinated 
peice of Venerable Antiquity, I bid him farewell, at w^hich he 
seemed to take no ^STotice, & ]Srever Spoke to him afterwards. 
He died, as I remember in less than a Year after this time. At 



206 JAEED INGERSOLL PAPEES, 1743-56. 

this time I could not Discern that M''. Mather was affected by 
any pain of Body, but so prodigiously broken as to his Intel- 
lectuals, that I must Confess I should as soon a thought of 
pulling a Dead man out of his grave & getting him to Execute 
any Deed or other Instrument as he. — Soon after this, I believe 
in Less than a week, ^U James Pierpoint* Came to me & Desired 
to draw a Deed from s'^. ]\P. Mather to the people of y® Seperate 
meeting in New Haven of a Certain peice about 10 acres of 
Salt meadow. I was quite surprized k nonpluss''. at the motion, 
& tho' I had never heard of ]\F. Pierpoint in particular, yet 
Could not help turning my thoughts on y*" frequent Eeports I 
had heard that there were Certain people who by a too great 
Inattention to M''. Mathers brokeness, or Actuated by worse 
principles, were very Industrious to Entitle themselves to his 
Estate ; after a little pause I looked M^ Pierpoint in y^ face & 
smiling said, why, M"", Pierpoint, Do you think M''. Mather is 
able to Execute a Deed that will be Valid in Law ? or words to 
that purpose, upon which M''. Pierpoint undertook to tell me 
Largely how it had been the Constant purpose of M'', Mather 
for a great while to give something to the people of y^ Seperate 
Society & the Like. I Determined 'twas not worth my while 
to enter into a Controversy with M''. Pierpoint about it, therefore 
drew a Deed as he directed, which same Deed as I understand 
was on or about y" 14*'\ of y^ same l^oV. Executed by s'^. M''. 
Mather & since Controverted in y*" Law, & found wanting. I 
Remember M'". Mather's coming into Court, viz y^ County Court 
at their Sessions in April 1745, to prevent, as I understood & 
as I believe was then y*" L^nderstanding of all by Standers, a 
Conservator being put in over him. Indeed twas Difficult 
knowing what he Said. He was aided in by persons holding 
him up by y^ Arms, he mumbled over Something to y° Court, 
M^ Caleb Tuttle one who aided him in, putting words into his 
mouth, but I remember y*^ Judges of s'^. Court said they Sup- 
posed M''. Mather Did not know one person in y*^ room «fc that he 
could not by any means have so Effectually Convinced them of 

* James Pierpont. Jr. (Yale 1718), was a leader in the establishment of 
the White Haven Church in 1742. 



JARED IJ«-GERSOLL PAPERS, '[74:^>-^)(). 207 

his need of a Conservator, as by shewing himself in Court & 
Objecting' against one. 

Some time hist May I was before Justice Front in behalf of 
M^. Davenport at the taking of some Depositions, when Tim". 
Mix* «t Deborah Tuttle gave Evidence Concerning a Deed said 
to have been given by s'^. Mather to his l^^egroes. I knowing that 
the people of the Separate meeting in Xew Haven had a Claim 
of some meadow by a Deed from s"^ Mather, & that therefore 
they might be apt to think more favourably of s^. Mathers Sound- 
ness of mind asked s"^. Mix whether he was not one of that 
meeting, he Answered that he was one once, but was now a 
Conformist to y*^ Church of England — which Question & Answ^. 
was put down, not in the words of y® Question & x\nswer but 
in such words as y*' Justice (I suppose) Judged to be of like 
Import ; upon s*^ Mix s answering as Above, I having always 
Understood that his, s*^ Mix s conforming to y^ Church as afores^ 
was but a shew of pretence asked him further where he ordi- 
narily attended publick worship. After some pause he 
Answered, At y*^ Church of England when I can, at other times 
Sometimes at y^ old meeting & some times at the Xew (meaning 
as I suppose at y'^ old & new meeting houses in Xew Haven), & 
he Insisted on its being penned in words of that Import, at which 
I was somewhat surprized knowing I had not seen him at y® old 
meeting afores*^ in some Years & having always heard that he 
very Seldom attended on y*^ Church o.f England worship. I told 
him I could not think he would Let his Answer go in that form, 
telling him of how small Importance soever it might be it was 
gross misrepresentation ; upon which he said smiling it should 
go for it was truth, for said he I have been, to y® old meeting 
two half Days within this Year past, but said he, twas when M''. 
ISToyes Did not preach & I think he said twas on Lecture Days. 

Some time after this I asked s"^. Mix if he had not in keeping 
sundry Wills & parts of Wills Designed for s*^ Mathers Will, 
he said he had ; I Desired him to send them to Windham Court 
viz Sup'". Court Last Sepf , he told me he would. I afterwards 

* Timothy Mix {Yale 1731) was a physician in New Haven. 



208 JARED INGEKSOLL PAPEES, 1743—56. 

asked him if he had sent them, he told me he had sent some hy 
Cap*. Fitch. I asked him why he Did not send Em all, he said 
he had sent all that were to the purpose, viz all that had any 
mention made in Em of y'' freedom of y*^ Negroes, at which I 
manifested some Dissatisfaction, upon that he said what signi- 
fied sending those which were made (or Dictated) by ]M''. Mather 
when he had not his Senses. I told him I thought it somewhat 
strange that he was so well Able out of a Number of Wills & 
parts of Wills so Exactly to Determin which were Dictated by 
]\F. Mather when of sound mind & which not, Especially when 
he had Deposed before Justice Hubbard as I Rememl>red that 
tho he was frequently sent for to write Wills for M''. Mather 
yet could never find him able to make any Will by reason of his 
brokeness, till in Aug*. lY-i-l, to which he Answered that he knew 
well Enough (t then went away from me. 

Jared Ingersoll 

Colony of Connecticut SS. Hartford March 8"\ 1749/50. then 
personally appeared M^'. Jared Ingersoll the Signer to the above 
and within written Deposition and made Oath to the truth of the 
same. Coram Roger Wolcott Dep* Gov^' 

Opened in Superb Court at Windham March term 1749/50 
per Jn*'. Bulkley one of the Judges 



Apprexticeship of Lucretia Smith. 

This indenture* made between Ruth Smith of New Haven 
Town & County of the one part, and Jared Ingersol of s*^ New 
Haven of y*" other part Witnesseth, that y*' said Ruth Smith for 

* As town certificates of apprenticesliip are rarely to be found in print, 
it has seemed best to include here both of the documents that relate to the 
binding out of Lucretia Smith to Jared Ingersoll in 1745 and 1746. Seybolt 
in his essay on apprenticeship in colonial New England and New York gives 
no indentures for Connecticut of date later than 1727, and does not follow 
the colony law farther than the revision of 1702. It is interesting to note 
that the law was in force as late as 1821. The form of the Ingersoll inden- 
ture shows that the customary pliraseology, borrowed from England, had 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 17-13-50, 209 

y^ Consideration of y'' Covenants and things to be performed by 
the s** Jared Ingersol herein after Expressed, hath put and bound 
in Service, and by these presents Doth put and bind in Service 
unto the s''. Jared Ingersol, her Daughter Lucretia of y^ Age of 
Eight Years the 29"' Day of May 1745 from y^ Date of these 
presents until the said Lucretia shall arrive att y* Age of Sixteen 
Years, provided a meet person will att that Age take and teach 
y*^ s^ Lucretia y" Art and trade of Woman tayloring, if not to 
be Dismiss'd att y'' Age of fifteen Years. During which term the 
s*^ Lucretia, the said Jared Ingersol faithfully shall Serve, his 
Just & Lawfull Commands always obey and Do. 

And y'^ said Jared Ingersol Doth for himself his Heirs, Ex*"'., 
Adm""^. and Assig-ns Covenant and agree to & with y*^ said Ruth 
Smith her Ex^^, Adn/^ and Assigns that during said term he 
shall and will procure & provide for s'\ Lucretia sufficient meat, 
Drink, washing. Lodging & Apparrel and also Learn her to 
Read English and Dismiss her att y*^ End of said term with 
Cloathing sufficient and proper to go an apprentice to Learn 
tayloring. In Witness whereof y^ Parties hereunto, have here- 
unto interchangeably set their hands and Seals this 20*^^ Day 
of May A. D. 1745. 

Signed, Sealed and Delivered . her 

in presence of Ruth X Smith 
Abiel Hall mark 

Elizabeth Whiting 

To all people to whom these presents shall Come Greeting — 
Whereas in & by one Statute Law of this Colony in page 95, 
96. &c of this Colony Law Book, among other things it is 
Enacted: ^^if there shall be any family that Cannot or do not 
provide Competently for their Children whereby they are 
Exposed to want & Extremity, it Shall & maj^ be Lawful for the 

become greatly simplified by this time. An earlier Connecticut indenture, 
binding out a girl to service in 1691, Avhicli is preserved in the State 
Archives (State Library, Private Controversies, IV, No. 123), is much 
more elaborate. 



210 JAEED IIST4EESOLL PAPEES, 1743-56. 

Selectmen & Overseers of the poor in Each Town, & thej are 
hereby ordered & impowered with the Assent of the next Magis- 
trate or Justice of the peace to bind any poor children belonging 
to such Town to be Apprentices where they shall See Convenient, 
a man Child until he shall Come to the age of twenty one years 
and a w^oman Child to y^ age of Eighteen Years or time of 
marriage ; which shall be as Effectual to all intents & purposes 
as if any such Child were of full Age & by Indenture of Cove- 
nant had bound him or herself," as by s^. Statute may appear : 
and Whereas William Smith a transient person late of Kew 
Haven in the County of 'New Haven & Colony of Connecticut 
& Ruth Smith his Wife of said ISTew Haven Do not, nor doth 
Either of them take any Care of, nor provide Competently for 
their Children being in said Kew Haven, whereby they are 
Exposed to want & Extremity, one of which Children is Lucretia 
a minor woman Child of the Age of about Eight Years & 9 
months, 

I^ow Know Ye that Jon*"": Mansfield, Sam^: Mix, Eben'': 
Beecher, James Peck Sen""., Jos'': Pierpoint & Sam': Thomson, 
being Select men & overseers of the poor for the time being of 
said Town of ]^ew Haven, Do by these presents by & with y^ 
Assent of y* Civil Authority in s''. Town Assign & Bind in Ser- 
vice the said Lucretia unto Jared Ingersol of s''. Xew Haven, his 
Ex'"^ & Adnfl, him the said Jared Ingersol faithfully to Serve, 
his Just & Lawfull Commands to perform & do until the said 
Lucretia shall arrive at y^ Age of Eighteen Years; And the 
said Jared Ingersol Doth for himself, his heirs, Ex". & Adm^\ 
Covenant & Agree to & with the said Select men & their Succes- 
sors in said Office that during said term he shall & will at his 
own proper Cost & Charge find & Procure for said Lucretia 
proper & Sufficient meat, Drink, Cloathing, washing. Lodging 
& all necessaries and Save the said Town free & harmless from 
all Cost & Charge that may happen or accrue on said Lucretias 
Account, and also Learn her to read English and Instruct her 
in the Art of Sewing, Knitting, Spinning & household work and 
at the End of said term Dismiss her from his Service with two 
Gowns and other proper Cloathing, the one fit & proper for 



JAKED INGERSOLL TAPERS, 1743-56. 211 

Sabbath Days & the other for week Days wear, <fc give her a 
Bible. In witness whereof the parties above have hereunto 
Interchangeably Set their hands & Seals in New Haven this 3*^. 
Dav of March A D. 1745/6 



Select men 
of Xew Haven 



Jon"^. Mansfield [S] James Peck [S] "" 

Sam^ Mix [S] Joseph Pierpont [S] 

Eben^ Beecher [S] Samuel Thomson [S] 
Sigii^, Seal^ & Deliv'' in presence off 

Abraham Bradley Caleb Hitchcock 

Done by & with the Consent & Advice of us y®. Subscribers 
being of y^ Civil Authority within the Town of 'New Haven 
within mentioned : As witness our hands y^ Date within. 

Jos'^. Whiting Assistant 
John Hubbard Just, of Peace 



Book of Expences, Begun Janua"^ : 1 : 1746 

Jany 3 Cash pt^. Joel Munson for flour 

7 Cash to Zuri. Kimberlj' for pr. Shoes for ) 
Lucretia ) 

to Mr. Whittlesey* for tobacco 
to Mr. Whittlesey for rum &c 
to Mr Brown for wine 
to Doctr. Hubbardf for Cinnamn. 
9 to Isaac Johnson for fowls 

paid to Mr. Howell in writs on Book Acco. 

for Cloathing &c 
pd Mr Cook$ in writs, ut Supr. 

* Chauncey Whittelsey (born 1717, died 1787) had graduated at Yale in 
1738 and studied theology; but in 1745 entered into an extensive business 
in New Haven as an importer, marrying in the same year a sister of Mrs. 
Ingersoll. Later he retired from business, and from 1758 to his death was 
the pastor of the First Church in this city. 

t Dr. Leverett Hubbard (Yale 1744) had just begun practice as a physi- 
cian in New Haven. 

$ Samuel Cooke, Junior (Yale Coll. 1730), a merchant and tavern-keeper 
in New Haven. 



£ 


s 


d 


1. 


10. 


9 


0. 


10. 





0. 


3. 





0. 


9. 





0. 


5. 


8 


0. 


3. 





0. 


G. 


8 


0. 


9. 





0. 


9. 






212 JARED INGEESOLL PAPERS, 1743-56. 

11 to Stepn. Howell Deed Book Aeco. 
to Bill Sale part M^. Whitt. Do. 

13 to Abl. Wood for wood, in writ &c & Cash 
to Doctr. Wood for Cloatlis Baskt 

14 to Mr. Hall* for wood 
to Kimberly for Shoes in pi. 

15 to Nath". Smith for pig rye 
18 to Mr. Whittlesey for rum 
20 to Jos. Humaston for wood 
23 to Sackets for Soap 

to Still house for rum 

to Woods wife for washing 

25 to Mr. Plattt for Beef 10% @ 9<i 

to Mr. Whittlesey for hog fat 

to Mr. Cook for dinner &c 

27 to Mr. Whittelsey for Sugar &c 
to Woodin for wood 

28 to Mrs. Hall Borrowed before 

29 to Doctr. Hubbd. for Elixr. 
31 to ]\lr. Whittelsey for 6 yd. Chints 

to Do. for fowl & Eggs 

tot. 

Feby. 2 to Contribution^ 

3 to Widow Barns for Eye 

pd. David Austin on Book Acco. by plead. JanS'. 
Court &c 
5 to Mrs. Howell for Soap 
to Joel Baldwin for tea 

7 to Mr. Whittelsey for Eggs 

8 to Mr. Hall for House rent 
to Mrs. Hall for Eggs 
to Jos. Humaston for Wood 
to romp money 

11 to Brown for Liquor 

12 to Mr. Whittelsey 2^^. tobacco 
15 to Do. for % "3 tea 

* John Hall, who lived on State Street, opposite INIrs. IngersoU's father. 
Mr. Ingersoll now lived in a hired house, belonging to Mr. Hall. In 1747 
he bought a house and land in the rear of property facing on Church Street, 
near the center of the space between Center and Chapel Streets. In 1755 
and 1757 he bought adjoining land to the west and north, and built, in 
1755-58, on Chapel Street the nucleus of the house still standing (on the 
west side of Temple Street, as laid out in 1784). in which he died. 

t Samuel Piatt, of Milford. 

t The regular Contribution collected during the church service on the first 
Sunday of each month. 



0. 


3. 





0. 


0. 


5 


0. 


12. 





0. 


3. 


6 


0. 


12. 





0. 


2. 





0. 


13. 


6 


0. 


19. 





0. 


10. 





0. 


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0. 


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0. 


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0. 


3. 


6 


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12. 


6 


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13. 


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0. 


6 


0. 


4. 


9 


9. 


6. 





0. 


3. 


2 


20.13.11 


0. 


1. 


8 


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14. 


7 


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2. 





0. 


4. 





0. 


7. 


6 


0. 


2. 





4. 


0. 





0. 


0. 


6 


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16. 





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9 


0. 


2. 


6 


0. 


2 


6 


1. 


8. 






JAfiED INGKKSOLL PAPERS, 1743-56. 213 

17 to Natlii. Brown for Liqr &c 
IS to Timo. Brown on Book Acco. 

to Mr. Barker for 23 lb % beef @ d^ 

to ;Mr. Whittelsey for paper 

20 to Thos. Howell mend, gloves 
to Romp money 
to Mr. Hall for wood 

21 to Pecks Expences &c 
to Jehiel Thomas on Book Ace". 

22 to Cash pd. Th. Howl, on Book Acco. 
to Still-house for rum 

24 to Ml'. Howell mending breeches 
to David Jacobs for 3% lb buttr. 
27 to Atwr. on Book Acco. 



March 1 to Mr. Hall for wood 

3 to Contribution money 

4 to James Pain Ju^. for wood 

5 to romp money 
to Camp for Oysters 
to :\lr. Whittelsey for Maslin &c 

7 to M"". Jones for Starch 
to Mr. Howell for rum 
to Mrs. Allin for holland 
to Mr. Whittelsey for ribbon 
to Do. Bag holland 
to Do. for fowl 

8 to Abrm. Cooper for Veal " 

10 for Indian meal &c 
to Mrs. w. for Sundris 

11 to Mrs. Trowbridge for Soap 
to Mr. Whittelsey for Eggs 

13 to Mrs. Howell for fatt 
to Benjn. Warner for Wood 

14 pd Stephn. Howell on Book Acco. 
to Mr. Whittelsey for butter 

15 to Jo. for Shaving & fowls 
17 to ^Ir. Pierpoint for hings 

to Capt. Sears for tea 45/ 
to John Thomson on Book 
IS to Timo. Howell for Quils 

19 to Clerk Hotchkis* for my rate 
to Do. fathers rate 

20 pd Atwr & Jno Thomson on Book Acco. 

* Caleb Hotchkiss, Collector of the rate for the First Church; Father in 
the next line is used for Father-in-law. 



0. 3. 


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8 


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0. 1. 


6 


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3.10. 





0. 7. 


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3 


0.10. 


4 


0. 1. 


G 


IG. 8. 


8 


0.12. 





0. 1. 


4 


0.10. 





0. 0. 


9 


0. 2. 


6 


1. 5. 





0. 2. 


7 


1. 0. 





1.10. 





0.12. 





0. 2. 





0.14. 





0.16. 





0. 5. 


8 


0. 3. 


5 


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0. 3. 


9 


0.12. 


6 


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1.10. 





0. 3. 


1 


0. 5. 





2. 5. 





0.10. 


G 


0. 0. 


2 


0.10. 


5V2 


0. 2. 


9y2 


0. 2. 






21-i JAEED IXGERSOLL PAPERS, 1743-56. 

to Mr. Frost for fennil Seed 0. 0. 

21 to Mr. Howell for rice 0.2.7 

to Buttler* for Beer 0. 4. 

to Mr. Hall for quils 0. 0. 4 

23 to Mr. Cooke for wine 0.11. 

to Mrs. Hall for Eggs 0. 0. 9 

25 to Mr. Whittelsey for papr & Najig o.lO. 6 
to Mr. Piatt .011 Book Ace". 0. 1.10 
to Mr. Whittelsey for fowls & Eggs 0.3.6 
to Mrs. w. for Corn 0. 4. 6 

26 to Mr. Cooke for wine 0. 0. 

28 to Doctr. Mixt for Sal auioni &c 0. 3. 
to Jno Bracket for Cord Wood 1.18. 
to Mrs. w. for pork &c 0. 4. 3 

29 to Mrs. Pomroyt for Earthen 0. 2. 

30 to Buttler for Matheglin 0.16. 
to Jno. Andrew for tobacco 0.15. 
to Mr. Whittelsey for Eggs 0. 0. 9 



£20.18. 4 



April 2 to Jos: Hiiniaston for wood 0.12. 

to Nathii; Brown for pipes 0. 0. 6 

to Mr. Bishop for fathers rate 0.5. 6 

5 to Mr : Poniroy for Eggs 0.1.6 

to Elipht. Beecher for Saddle &c in part 10. 0. 

to Wm. Lyon for Stirup 0. 9. 

to Do. on Book Acco. 0. 0. 6 

to Mrs. Howell for fatt 0. 2. 

to romp money 0. 0. 9 

to Doctr. Hubbd. on Book Acco. 2. 6. 6 

to Stepii Howell for Book Articles 0.3.0 
8 to Mr. Whittelsey for plad & Shirt Cloath Sec 10. 0. 

to Mrs. Howell for fatt &c 0. 4. 

10 to Caleb Thomas wife for Washing 0.5.0 

11 to Mr. Wliittelsey for Biscake§ &c 0. 2. 1 

12 to Stepn. Howell for qt. rum 0. 5. 
14 to fisherman for fish 0. 2.' 71/2 

to Mrs. Hall for Oats 0. 1. 6 

to Expellees fairfield ferriage V^ \ 

•2 Days Living Capt Burrs 15/5 ^ 0.18. 8 

Shaving 1/ Wilton tavern 2/ ) 

to Mr. Cogoshall for lib powdr. 0.14. 

* The Butler was an officer of the College who supplied the Faculty and 
Students with soft drinks and other refreshments. 
t Timothy Mix (Yale 1731), a New Haven physician. 
t Mary, widow of Joseph Pomeroy. 
§ := biscuit. 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1743-56. 215 



to Eliphet Beeclier for Saddle part 

to Doctr. Herpin for Hungary* 

to Mrs W. for ^l buslii. Corn 
22 to Enos Tuttle for Veal 

to Jo: Miles for Clams 

to for pig 

to Stepn. Howell on Book AcC. 
25 to Mr. Bradly for flower &c. 

to Mr. Whittelsey for toe Cloth 
30 to Id. for % Quartr € Sugar 

to Jo for fowls, Eggs &c part 



May 1 to Jno Lewis for Qui Is 

to Mr. Whittelsey on Book Acco for rum &c 

to Do. for Sugr. part 

2 to Mr. Walter for hops 

2 to Mr. Whittelsey for holland 

5 to Charity &e. 
to Nancy for Washing 
to ]\Ir. Whittelsey for fowls & butt^ 

6 to Israel Smith for lead 
to Jo. for fowls &c 
to Mrs. Eliot for Eggs 

7 to Sent by Abr™ Thompson to York for tea, 

Reed, of Sears V^ 

to charity 

8 to Mrs. Lyon for Matheglin 
10 to Mrs. Toles for fowls 

12 to Mr. Hall for house rent 

13 to Mr. Howell for Soap 

14 to Jo: for Eggs &c 

15 to Mrs. Pomroy for Cartouch Box & flints 
17 to Mrs. Howell for Soap 

21 to :Mr. Wliittelsey for butter 

22 to Capt. Wiute for tea Voib 
to Mrs. Toles for butter 
to ^Irs. Thomas for Eggs 

23 to Joel Munson for flower 

24 to Mrs. Sacket for beans 
to Mr. Howell for thread 

26 to Lazarus Ives for 29% pork 
28 to ]Mr Eliot 2 Quts rum part 

30 to Jno. Row for Veal 

to Mrs. Toles for butter 0. 7. 6 

* Dr. John Herpin and his son Dr. Jolm Herpin, Junior (Yale 1741) 
practiced medicine in Milford. Hungary water was distilled from rosemary 
flowers infused in spirit of wine. 



1. 


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0. 


1. 


11 


1. 


0. 


5 


1. 


11. 





1. 


12. 





0. 


2. 





£37 


.10 


• 31/2 


0. 


0. 


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18. 





0. 


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0. 


3. 





7. 


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3. 


14. 





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1. 


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9 


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2. 


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3 


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2. 





0. 


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1. 


9. 


9 


0. 


5. 


3 


0. 


9. 






216 JAKED INGEESOLL PAPERS, 1743-56. 

31 to Mr. Whittelsey for Checkd Cotton part 
to Id. for Wafers 



June 2 to M^s. W. for beef &c 

to Thos. Howell for making and finding ^ 
Cloathing &c f 

3 to Jo for Eggs 
to for Sand 

to Timo. Brown on book AcC. for ax, hoes &c 
to D: Piinderson for buttons part 

4 to Sister Ailing* for Veal 

5 to Sand Merchant for Sand 1^^ bu 
to Jonth. Atwater for lime on Book 

to Nancy for washing 

to Expences at Cookes, for wine 

to Jno. Eow for mutton 

10 to Elipht. Becher for saddle &c in part 
to Rogi". Ailing for butter 
to Gid: Todd for load wood 
to Mr. Whittelsey for loaf Sugi". 
to D: Pund: for Buttons 
to Ml". Hall for hooping tubb 

11 to Timo. Brown on Book for hoe &c 

12 to Mr. Eliot for 2 Qts. rum 
at Browns wine 
to Timo. Brown on Book for hoes &c 

16 to Mrs. w. on Book for Corn &c 

18 to Jno. Miles for table in part 

19 Browns for wine &c 

20 to Squaw for Basket 

21 to Jos. Miles mending Shoes 
to Mrs. w. for Veal 12ib. @ 8d 
to Stacyt for Wliitewashing 
to Mr. Whittelsey for Veal &c 

23 to Jno. Miles for table 
to Brown for wine 

24 to Joel Munson for brawn 
26 to Still house for i Gall: molasses 

to Mr. Whittelsey for 1 Gall: rum 
28 to Gorge for fish 

to Jonth. Atwater for pipes 

to Mrs. Smith for plaister &c 
30 to Jos: Miles for pr. Shoes my Wife 

£26. 6.10 

*Mary (Whiting), sister of Mrs. Ingersoll and wife of Stephen Ailing 
t Joseph Stacy, died 1754. 



0. 


2. 


6 


0. 


0. 


6 


£25 


.15 


2 


0. 


3. 


6 


5. 


0. 





0. 


2 





0. 


5. 





0. 


15. 





0. 


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0. 


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9 


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0. 


2 


8 


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5. 





0. 


4. 





0. 


3. 





2. 


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0. 


15. 


2 


0. 


16. 





0. 


12. 





0. 


10. 





0. 


2 


8 


0. 


3. 





0. 


9. 





0. 


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6 


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1. 


12. 





0. 


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0. 


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0. 


0. 


9 


0. 


8. 





0. 


11. 


9 


0. 


14. 


3 


5. 


0. 





0. 


3. 





0. 


7. 





0. 


14. 





0. 


18. 





0. 


0. 


4 


0. 


2. 


6 


0. 


15. 





0. 


18. 






JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1743-5G. 217 



July 1 to Ur\ Howell for Veal 

to Mr. Whittelsey for ribbon 
2 to Do. for Veal 

to Hez: Gorliani for tole Bell 

4 to Mrs. Hall for Oats 

to Beech for peas peck 

to 8eth Heaton for Do. % bushi. 

5 to Abrm. Thomson for 17%!^). beef 

7 for book Doctr. Johnsons* 

8 to John Lewis for Clams 

to for biitter, 4lt> 

9 Mr. Whittelsey for pr. Stockins 
to M^'s. W. for Corn on book 

10 to Mr. Green for blanks 

to Dani. Smith for Veal 8i/>ib 

11 to Seth Heaton for peas 

12 to Charity 

14 to Pomp for pipe &c 

15 to Jos: Miles mending Shoe 
to Mr. Howell for tape 

17 to Abr™. Thomson for beef 8lb 

19 to i\Ii"s. Pomroy for Indigo &c 
to Sarah W. for 
to Capt. White for i/aib tea 

23 to Mr. Diodate for Newspapers 

25 to Lazarus Ives for Veal 

to Mrs. Allen for Shirt buttons in part 
' 28 to Mr. Whittelsey for butter 
to Id. for 14 y^ Cambrick 
to Mr. Diodate for hogs fat 
to ;Mr. Whittelsey on book Acco. 

29 to Stephen Howell for rum 

to Xoah Wolcot for load wood 

30 to Mrs. w : Indian meal 



August 

1 & 7 Expences in a Journey to Ridgefield 
8 to Mr. Whittelsey for fish & butter 

11 to Thos. Howell for papr. 
to Abrm. Thomson for beef 7i^ib ^ QA 

12 to Mr. Hall for house rent 
to W™. Lyon for gimblets 3 
to Abner bradly for Cyder 

* Ethices Elementa. Or the First Principles of Moral Philosophy. By 
Aristocles. Boston, 1746. This book was well known to be written by the 
Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson (Yale 1714), of Stratford. 



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12. 





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1 


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9 


0. 


1. 


9 


0. 


3. 





0. 


13. 





0. 


5. 





0. 


3. 





0. 


8. 





2. 


18. 


3 


0. 


5. 





3. 


15. 


3 


0. 


8. 


6 


0. 


3. 





0. 


0. 


6 


0. 


0. 


6 


0. 


1. 





0. 


2. 





0. 


6. 





0. 


1. 


11 


0. 


1. 





1. 


14. 





0. 


4. 





0. 


12. 


3 


0. 


1. 


6 


0. 


4. 





1. 


4. 





0. 


3. 


4 


0. 


0. 


8 


0. 


11. 





0. 


15. 


6 


0. 


1. 


3 


£10. 


12. 


2 


0. 


17. 


7 


0. 


8. 





0. 


2. 


6 


0. 


5. 


9 


3. 


12. 





0. 


3. 


6 


0. 


2. 






218 



JAEED IXGERSOLL PAPERS, 1743-56. 



13 to Thos. Howell for paper 
to Mrs. W. for Corn 

to ]\Ir. Whittelsey for Cloth, linnen &c 

14 to Abm. Thomson for beef 

to Jehiel Thomas Admr* Shoes &c 
to sd. Adnir. on s^^. Acco. 

15 to Mrs. w. for Corn &c on book aceo. 

16 to Abner Bradly for Cyder 
to Lad for Qnils 

IS to WiM. Lyon for paper 

19 to Mr. Whittelsey for rum 

20 to Browns for vfine 

to Thomson for beef 2&^ @ 8d 

22 to Mr. Xoyesf for Sider 

to Mr. Whittelsey for handkerch^s 

23 to Wm. Lyon for paper 

26 to Lyon for Ink horn 

to Jo: Miles mending Wifes Shoes 
to Mr Noyes for Sider 

27 to Mr. Whittelsey for butter 
to Browns Expences wine 

29 to Browns for Wine 
to Mr. Noyes for Sider 
to Mrs. Pomroy for Soap 

Septembr. 

1 to Amos Pirkins for Veal 

2 to Benjn. Morris for fowls 
to Dani. Woodin for Wood 
to Jethro for Oysters 

3 to Mr. Noyes for Sider 

to Thos. Ives for BB$ Sider 
6 to Mr. Diodate for psalm book 

8 to Mr. Noyes for Sider 

9 to Steplien Howel for rum 2 Quts. 
to ^Ir. Whittelsey for pepper 

10 to Lazarus Ives for pig Quartr. 

11 to Mr. Whittelsey for 4 yds holland 
to Do. for lllb; 6oz. butter @ 2/3 

12 to Lazs. Ives for Mutton 
15 to Jno. Hall for Oysters 

to Mr. Whittelsey for % peck Salt 



0. 7. 

0. 2. 6 
0.17.10 
0.10. 6 
2. 0. 

1. 2. 
0. 4. 
0. 2. 
0. 0. 6 

0. 2. 

1. 0. 
0. 3. 6 
0.17. 4 
0. 3. 6 

2. 5. 
0. 0. 8 
0. 1. 6 
0. 2. 
0. 3. 
0. 0. 
0. 3. 
0. 7. 
0. 3. 
0. 5. 

£17. 2. 8 

. .4 . 9 

0. 4. 

0.17. 6 

0. 5. 

0. 3. 

0.16. 

0. 8. 6 

0. 3. 

0.11. 

0. 5. 7 

0. 7. 6 
5.15. 

1. 5. 7 
0. 6. 
0. 4. 
0. 3. 9 



* Jehiel Thomas died in April. 1746, and his Avidow, Mary (Miles) had 
been appointed his Administratrix. 

t Rev. Joseph Xoyes (Yale 1709), Mr. Inger soli's pastor. 
1 Barrels. 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1743-56. 219 



16 to Mr. Whittelsey for paper 

to Abr™. Thomson for beef 
18 to Mr. Whittelsey for thread & fowls 

to James Thomson for hooping 

to Caleb Atwater for wood 

23 to Lazs. Ives for Veal 
to ]Mr. Whittelsey for Rye 2 bushels 
to Mrs. Pomroy for Mug & Nutmeg 

24 to Jo: for Eggs 
26 to Stephen Howell for 2 Qts. rum 

to Jos. Miles for p"". Shoes for my Wife 

29 to Mr. Gibb* for i^ib tea 

30 to Jonth. Atwater on Book for % bushi. Oysters 0. 
to James Peck for hoe handle 
to Stephn. Howell on Book Acco. for } 

checks, rum &c i 

to Mr. Whittelsey for quatity binding 



Octobr. 3 to Eliphelet Beechr. for beef 

to James Thomson on book Acco for ^^ 
hooping &c i 

■1- to Thomas Howell for buttons 

to Mrs. w. on Book for Ind: meal &c 

5 to Contribution 

6 to Widow Bradly for 3 bbi Cyder 
to Williams for mutton 
to Susa: Proutf for loaf Sugar 

8 to Stepi. Howell on book Acco. 
to Thoms. Howell for tayloring, Cloathing &c 
to Do. for Cloathing, tayloring &c 

9 to Capt Allint for 1 Gall, rum 
to Jos. Miles for Soleing Lucretias shoes 3/9 ( 

— 9d Due 
10 to Joel Munson for 1311^ flower, 5^ 

to Mr. Whittelsey for 3 fowls @ 2/ 
11. to Mrs. w. for Corn 

to Do. for Indin meal &c 

to Lazs. Ives for pig 
14 to D. Punderson on Book for Clieese 

to Do. for handkerct 

* Probably Thomas Gibb, of Milford. 

t Susanna Prout, born April, 1718, daughter of John Prout, Junior 
(Yale Coll. 1708), married Timothy Bontecou, November, 1747, died 
October, 1755. 

+ Probablv Jonathan Ailing. 



0. 7. 





0. 5. 


9 


0. 8. 





0. 7. 





0.17. 





0. 9. 


4 


1. 0. 





0. 8. 





0. 1. 


6 


0.12. 





1. 0. 





2. 5. 





rs 0. 1. 


9 


0. 1. 


6 


0. 6. 





0. 3. 


6 


£20.13. 


6 


0. 6. 


2 


0. 8. 


6 


0. 2. 





0. 8. 





0. 1. 





2.17. 





0.11. 


10 


0.15. 





0. 3. 





7. 0. 





4. 6. 


5 


1. 0. 





[- 0. 3. 


9 


2.14. 


7 


0. 6. 





0.10. 





0. 7. 





0.15. 


6 


0. 7. 


lOVa 


0.11. 






220 



JAEED IIs^GEESOLL PAPEES, 1743-56. 



15 to Benjn. \Yilmot for wood 

to James Thompson for barrel 

16 to Mr. Jones for 1 Doz. pipes 

18 to Benjn. Morriss for fowls 

19 to James Thomson for bW &c on book 

21 to Mr. Whittelsey for tow cloth 

to Do. for ribbon 8/ for Wine &c 2/ 

22 to C'apt. Allin for 1 Gall, molass. 

23 to W™. Lyon for Nails 

to Abr™. Thomson for beef 

24 to R. Baldwin for 4bbi & ^ Sider 

25 to Jos: Miles for Soleing & mending my Shoes 

10/ & for Soleing Cretias in part Q^ 
to Jontii. Atwr. for ^^ bushi. Oysters 
to Stephen Howell for busW Salt 
to Mi-. Whittelsey for 9 yds Camblet 28/2, ^ 
11/^ yds Osnubrigs, % yd blue Callico, - 
2 fowls, thread & Cheese ) 

28 to Mrs. w. for Beef 9% @ 8 

29 to Mr. Whittelsey for goose 
21b butter 5/ hops 4/6 Silk 3d 

31 to Benja. Wilmot for bb Sider 
to Mr. Eliot for Rum 
to Do. for Sugar 



Novembr. 

1 to Samuel Gilbert for boards 
to Dani. Sanford for i^ pig 

2 to Contribution 

3 to Jos. Sperry for load wood 

to Mr. Piatt for lolib Beef @ 8d 
to Mrs. Pomroy for pig, piece of 

4 to Mr. Bishop for my Rate 
to Do. for fathers rate 

6 to AbrJn. Thompson for 1 Day highway work 

to Mrs. W. for 3ib tobacco @ 1/6 
9 to Jo: for Cutting wood &c 

10 to Wni. Johnson for 2 bushi turnips 

11 to Mr. Whittelsey for 2 Cask 

12 to INIr. Hall for house rent 

to Leiut Baldwin* for load wood 

14 to Mrs. W. for Corn % bushi. &c 
to Mr. Cooke for 2 Dinners 

15 to Atwater for pig 
to Jo. for Cutting wood &c 

* Barnabas Baldwin, Junior, of Xew Haven and ]\lilford. 



0.14. 





0.13. 





0. 5. 





0. 6. 


8 


1. 0. 





0.12. 





0.10. 





0.14. 





0. 2. 


6 


0. 7. 


6 


3. 9. 





i 0.10. 





0. 1. 


6 


1.10. 





14. 0. 





0. 6. 


6 


0. 4. 


8 


0. 9. 


9 


0.18. 





1.18. 


6 


0.13. 


9 


£53. 1. 


5 


0. 1. 





0. 9. 


3 


0. 1. 


3 


1. 0. 





5. 0. 


3 


0. 2. 





1. 1. 


11/3 


0. 6. 


iy2 


0. 6. 





0. 4. 


6 


0. 1. 


3 


0.12. 





0. 8. 


10 


3. 9. 


6 


1. 0. 





0. 6. 


8 


0. 5. 





0. 6. 


9 


0. 0. 


71/2 



JAKED INOEKSOLL PAPEKS, l743-5(). 221 

to Mrs. w. for Corn &c 0. 0.10 

17 to Jont'i. Atwater Jur. for Oysters 0. 1.9 
to Expencos at Fairfield for nij-self & liorse 1. 8. 4 

to Wynkoop* for pr. buckles 3.15. 

to Do. for pr. Do. for my Wife 4. 2. 

to Do. for making 3 Silver Spoons 2.5.0 

to Do. for 3 p^^- Silver 0.7.0 
left 47 oz Silver for s^. Spoons 

gave Ely for s^. Silver 9.0.0 

to Mrs. w. for Corn 0. 2. 6 

20 to Lealit for Washing pd. in holland & ) 14 
making up . . Apron i 

25 to Kimberly for 2 Qts. Matheglin 0. 8. 
to for 4 fowls 0. 5. 3 
to Mr. Howell for Corn part buslii. 0.10. 6 

26 to Miss Cablet for 141b. tea 1.5.0 
to Do. for loz. Coffee 0.12. 

28 to ]\Ir. W'hittelsey for Cash paid ]\Irs. / 

Hotchkis on my Aeco. for fowls i 

to Mr. Whittelsey for 9oz butter 0. 1.4 

to Do. for thread & tape ' 0. 1. 9 

to Do. i/aib Eaisins 0. 2. 

to David Punderson for 1^4 Checks linnen 1. 9. 

to Do. for 1 Doz: bisket 0. 4. 

to Doctr. Levt. Hubbard for Adhernium &c. 0. 1. 6 

29 to Mrs. Thomas for goose 0.6.0 
to Mrs. Beechr. Jo. for Eggs 0. 1. 3 



0. 6. 8 



£42.12. 8 



Decembr. 

1 to Dani. Thompson for Combing wool 0.5.0 

to Mrs. Thompson for Candle 0. 3. 

3 to Jo. for Cutting wood 0. 3. 3 

to James Peck for scraping Bucks horn 0.0.6 

to James Thompson on book for barrel 0.13. 

to Jethro for killing hog 0. 3. 

5 to Stephen Howell for highways working Qt 

rum 0. 5. 6 
to Benjn. Todd for 20%ib Mutton tallow @ Vs 1.14. 2 

to Charity 0. 5. 

7 to Contribution . 1.0 

9 to Benjii. Wilmot for load Wood 0.15. 

* Benjamin Wynkoop, of Fairfield. 

t Mr. Ingersoll sold Leah, his negro slave, in 1778, to Pompey Punchard. 
a free negro. 

$ Mrs. Sarah, Avife of W^illiam Cable, died in August, 1751, aged 40. 



222 



JAEED INGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1743-56. 



10 to Mr. Whittelsey for Eggs 
to Ailing for load wood 
to D. Punderson for fowls 
to Jo. for fetcliing home Do. 

11 to Mr. Hays for Qt. Brandy 

12 to Mr. Eliot for rum 

to Mr. Howell in full of bushi. Corn 

13 to Mr. Whittelsey for Mutton 
to Do. for Do. 

to Mrs. Eosbothum* for tansey water 

17 to Mn". Jones for an Almanack 
to David Punderson biscake 

18 to Mr. Whittelsey on Book for one Partridge 
to Do. for Quire paper 

to Jontii. Allen for load wood 

19 to Miss Pomroy for Gall: rum 
21 to Miss W: for Indian meal 

24 to Mr. Whittelsey for handkercf 

25 to Saml. Beecher for IQi/alb. butter 
to Mr. Wliittelsey for handkerfs 

to Do. for fowls 3/9 for pipes 5/ 

26 to Stepn. Howell on book for rum &c 
29 to Wait Chattertont for GQib. flower 

to Mr. Whittelsey for fowl 
to Doctr. Hubbd. for physick &c 
31 to David Punderson on Book for Bisket 
to Mrs. W. for pork 



Sum total of Expences in the foregoing year 1746 



0. 1. 





0.18. 





0. 3. 


6 


0. 0. 


6 


0. 7. 





1. 0. 





0. 0. 


6 


0. 7. 


6 


0. 0. 


6 


0. 2. 





0. 1. 





0. 4. 





0. 1. 


9 


0. 7. 





1. 6. 





1. 0. 





0. 1. 


6 


0.11. 





2. 9. 





1. 5. 





0. 8. 


9 


0. 3. 





1. 7. 


6 


0. 1. 


9 


4. 0. 





0. 3. 





0. 2. 


9 


21. 1. 


11 


£319.. 


17.. 6 



76.. 0.. 9 



Particulars 

Victuals, Including tea$ drank as well "I 
afternoon as in ye morning i 

Drink for Victuals, viz Sider & Beer 
Strong Liquors, viz Rum, Wine, Matheglin &c 
Wood 

Saddle, bridle, Baggs &c 
Laid out in Silver 
A table 
house-rent 

* Sarah, daughter of Gershom Brown, and wife of Benjamin Rosbotham, 
born March, 1699. 

t Of Moimt Carmel. 

t The amount expended for tea during tlie year was £13.14.6; and the 
price per pound, so far as given, varied from £3. to £5. 



10. 


0. 





20. 


0. 





15. 


17. 





13. 


0. 





19. 


9. 





5. 


0. 





15. 


0. 






JAUED INGERSOLL P.VrEKS, 1743-50. 223 

Cloathing 

Doctering 

tobacco 

pipes 

Candles 

284.. 5.. 3 

Remains £35.. 12.. 3. for paper, washing. Charity, powder. Lead, Casks, 
Gimblets, Cutting wood, boards, books & a thousand other Incidental things. 



ino. 


. 0. 


.03 


5. 


. 4. 


. 9 


1. 


.10. 


. 


0. 


.13. 


. (] 


2. 


.10. 


. 



Letter of William Livingston. 
Sir 

I find by your Letter of the 10th Instant & the account there- 
with, that there is still in your hands a Ballance of £10.2.0 old 
Tenor in my favour on Ace* of the Philosophic Solitude. I am 
at a Loss how to make you Satisfaction for the trouble you have 
been pleased to take in that affair, especially since I find that 
you have not so much as Charged the usual Commissions (which 
in a Gentleman of your Profession I must look upon as a most 
sublime pitch of self-denial &) which I should have been 
exceeding willing, & am still willing, to allow you. But if you 
are still resolved not to accept them (and indeed they would be 
but a very inadequate Recompence for your Trouble) I can 
only say, that if it should ever be in my power to serve you, I 
shall not fail to embrace the welcome Opportunity of testifying 
my gratitude. And as to the said £10.2.0, I having no occasion 
for 3'our unfortunate Currency,* you would still add to the 

* As the currency of Connecticut is frequently referred to in these papers, 
a brief explanation will be of service. 

Old tenor was the term used for all Connecticut paper money of the 
issues to 1740, still outstanding in 1744, including possibly some bills of 
1746 printed from the old plates. Neio tenor consisted of the bills of 1744 
and years following. Little reckoning was done in new tenor, calculations 
being made in old tenor at the rate of three and a half old tenor to one 
new tenor. In comparison with the normal value of paper, that is, six 
shillings to a silver Spanish dollar or six shillings eight pence to an ounce 
of silver, which was also the rate at which foreign silver coins were made 
current by the Proclamation of 1704 and so known as proclamation money, 
the depreciation of old tenor in 1748 was about six to one. In comparison 



224 JARED INGEESOLL PAPERS, 1743-56. 

Obligations vou have already laid me under, if you wou'd be 
pleased to lay it out in the following- Works of Dr. Watts (which 
I doubt not you'l find in Daddy Diodates* Shop, & I trust Mr. 
Whittelsey your Brother will take the Trouble to Convey to my 
hands) viz: His Treatise on the Passions, Philosophical 
Essays, Strength & W^eakness of human reason & Reliquiae 
Juveniles, or as many of them as the said Sum will purchase. 
I am, Sir (with my best Respects to you & Mr&. Ingersol) 

Your most humble Servt 

Wil™. Livingston. t 

Is^: YorkOcf 25, 1748 

with sterling, in which four shillings and six pence Avere equal to a Spanish 
dollar, the depreciation was a third more, or eight to one. 

There was a difference of opinion at the time as to the meaning of 
laicfiil money. Manifestly it was any medium made legal by law, but 
whether by the law of England or the law of the colony was not so clear. 
Some held that lawful money was silver, either the silver shillings, six- 
pences, and threepences coined in Massachusetts, 1652-1684, and still in 
circulation, or the foreign silver made current at the same rate by the 
Proclamation of 1704 and the Coinage Act of 1708. Others, constituting 
probably a majority of the people of Xew England, held that lawful money 
was paper money, which at par equated with both Massachusetts silver and 
proclamation money, a six shilling paper bill when first issued, six Massa- 
chusetts pine-tree shillings, and a Spanish dollar all being of the same 
value. In the Dering vs Packer case (below, p. 239), the Privy Covmcil 
decided in favor of silver, either Massachusetts silver or proclamation 
money, but Ingersoll was undoubtedly fight when he said that this decision 
was not in accord with the "understanding of the people" of Xew 
England. 

* William Diodate, a native of London ( who settled in Xew Haven in 
1717, married in 1721, and died in 1751), kept a general store on State 
Street, at the southwest corner of the present jvmction with Court Street. 

t The writer (born 1723, died 1790) was graduated at Yale in 1741, 
and was now gaining distinction at the New York bar. In his later years 
he removed to New Jersey, where he served in Congress and became the 
first Governor of the State. 

In 1747 he published anonymously in New York Philosophic Solitude: or 
the choice of a Rural Life. A Poem. By a Gentleman educated at Yale 
College. A subscription-paper in Mr. Ingersoll's hand for this work (the 
earliest publication in pure literature by a Yale graduate), which was 
circulated in the College, and is still preserved in the Yale University 
Library, is appended to this letter. 



JAIJED IXGEESOLL PAPERS, 1T43-5G. 



225 



Subscriptions for M". Livik^gstonS poem* 

Prepared for the press & upon proper Encouragement will be 
Speedily published, A Kural Poem both Instructive «Si Delight- 
full, M''. William Livingston of N'ew York the xVuthor, to be 
printed on good paper in Quarto, being Somewhat in lengi;h 
more than an Ordinary Sermon, the price of one will be about 
four or iive Shillings old tenor. f 

^Ye the Subribers willing to Encourage the publication 
thereof Do for that purpose Engage to pay the Undertakers for 
So many as to our names are annexd. 



Jared Ingersol 


2 




Eleazar Porter 


1 


Chauncey Whittelsey 


2 


pd 


Thomas Williams 


l' 


Enos Ailing 


2 


pd 


Wm Smith 


1 


Samuel Fisk 


2 




John Cuyler 


1 


Willim. Russel 


2 


pd. 


Naphtali Daggett 


1 


Saml Fitch 


4 


pd. 


Elijah Lyman 


1 paid 


Wm Samii. Johnson 


2 


paid+ 


David Baldwin 


1 


Xath" Lloyd 


2 




Danii. Bennitt 


Ipd 


Richd Mansfield 


2 




James Hillhouse 


2 


Jonth. Colton 


2 


pd 


John Sherman 


1 


Aaron Day 


2 




Nehemiah Greenman 


2 


Wm. Bryant 


3 




John Colman 


2pd 


Lyman Hall 






Jeremiah Burton 


Ipd 


Nathii. Huntington 






Matthias Crane 


1. 


Joseph Clark 






Daniel Hubbard 


2 


Deliverance Smith 






John Hotchkiss 


1 


Oliver Wolcott 


2 




James Bebee 


2 


Daniel Shelden 






Mr. Bastwick, Greenwich 


2 


Timothy Pitkin 






Mr. Mather, ]\Iiddlesex 


2 


William Cooke 






IMr. Dibble, Stanford 


2 


John Benedict 






Mr. Lamson, Eichfield 


2 


Benjn. Fisk 






Mr. Woolsey, L. Island 


4 


Jonathan Elmer 






John Reynolds 


1 


John Hubbard 






Eliphalet Ball 


1 



* All the subscribers were graduates or undergraduates of Yale. There 
were then probably from 105 to 110 students in College, and of these, 58 
persons subscribed for 83 copies, — 20 being Seniors (Class of 1747), 20 
Juniors (Class of 1748), 12 Sophomores (Class of 1749), and 6 Freshmen 
(Class of 1750) : Burton, a Senior from Stratford, Sumner from Hebron, 
and Sherman. Sophomores, and Mitchel, a Freshman from Woodbury, died 
or left College before graduation. 

t That is, about a shilling proclamation money or nine pence sterling. 

+ One of these copies is now in the Yale Library. 



226 



JARED IXGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1743-56. 



Daniel Welch 
Eeynold Marvin 
Nathan Starr 
John Clark 
David Riplej' 
Xymphas Marston 
Elisha Steel 
Peter Biiel 
Samuel Raynolds 
William Sumner 
Nathaniel Bartlet 
Austin Munson 
James Brown 
Isaac Lyman 



Reed 



of Doctr. Fitch 









/- Simeon Mitchel 




6 






Ipd 




} Mitchel Reed 2 & pd 


for 












i 2 Do. 1 Do. 














Elihu Tudor 




1 










Izrahiah Wetmore 


pd 


1 










John Maltby 




3 










Jedediah Mills 




1 






2p<i 




Daniel Griswold 




1 






2pd 




Aaron Hutchinson 




1 






2 




Noadiah Warner 




2 






2 




Hobart Mason 




1 pai 


d 




2 




Samii Seabury 




2 






2 pa 


id 


Jamison Johnston 




2 






1 




Isaac Isaacs 




2pd 






11. 





Sami Brown 
of Mr. Whiting 




2 




0. 


0. 


. 5. . 


6 


1. 


7. 


6 




0. 


. 5.. 


6 


0. 


11. 







1. 


. 2.. 





0. 


11. 







0. 


.11.. 





0. 


5. 


6 




0. 


.11.. 





0. 


5. 


6 




0. 


. 5.. 


6 


0. 


5. 


6 




0. 


.11.. 





0. 
0. 


5. 
11. 


6 



Reed of Sumner for ) 
Sundry Sold i 


5. 


.14.. 


6 


0. 


5. 
2. 

11. 


6 




of Do. 

Sepi". 11: 1747 
Delivd to Sr Smith* 


2. 


. 0.. 





1. 

0. 


17. 

£7. 


.18. . 
. 3.. 














G. 


12. 





Bradly for freight 


0. 


. 2.. 






1748 postage Letter 0.. 5.. 10 



[Endorsed on back] 



Reed, for books £17.. 18.. 



paid out 

to Bryant 
freight 

postage Letter 
to Ml". Diodate for books 
(q} 5/6 viz Accidencies pr order 
to Sumner &c for disposing } 
of ye pamphlets \ 



7.3.0 
0.2.0 
. 5 . 10 

1. .13 : 
0.11. 



* By Sir Smith is meant William Smith, Junior (Yale 1745), a law- 
student (with Livingston) in the office of Hon. William Smith, Senior 
(Yale 1719), of New York City and afterwards Chief Justice and historian 
of the Province of New York. 



jabed ingersoll papers, 1743-50. 227 

Letter of William Livingstoin'. 

'New York Xo"^ 28, 1748. 



]\r Jared Iiisersol 



t>^ 



Sir — Mr. Wittlesey tells me that you could not get the books 
I wrote for ; be pleased therefore to lay out the money in 
Chevers's* excidences & Vocabularies (or N'omenclatures) 
Latin & English, half for one & half for the other, & send them 
by the post for as reasonable a price as you can agree. My 
respects to your Spouse. 

I am. Sir, Your very humble Serv* 

W"" Livingston. 

N^.B. — You will be pleased to send them by the next post, I 
wanting them for my brothers Children, & charge the postage of 
this Letter to mv Ace*. 



Bill of Sale of j^egro Boy. 

To all people to whom these presents shall Come Greeting. 
Know ye that I Stephen Ailing of the Town & County of j^ew 
Haven & Colony of Connecticut, for the Consideration of the 
Sum of three hundred & twenty pounds old tenor rec*^. to my 
full satisfaction of Jared Ingersoll of New Haven afores"^., 
have Sold, set over & Delivered & Do by these presents fully & 
absolutely Sell, Set over & Deliver unto him the said Jared 
Ingersoll a Certain Negro Boy, a Slave Called Cambridge aged 
Eight years or thereabouts. To have & to hold the said Xegro 
Boy unto him the said Jared Ingersoll and to his Executors, 
Adm'''. and Assigns for Ever. And I the said Stephen Ailing 
Do for my Self my heirs, Ex^. & Adm''. Covenant with the Said 
Jared Ingersoll his Ex'"' & Adm'"^ that Lentil the Ensealing of 
these presents I am Lawfully possessed of the said Xegro as of 
my proper goods & have good right to Sell him in manner as is 
above written & Do by these presents bind my Self & my heirs, 

* Ezekiel Cheever (born in England in 1614. died in Boston in 1708). 
a noted schoolmaster in New Haven, and in Boston and its vicinity, 
published a Latin Accidence which continued in use for many generations 
of schoolbovs. 



228 JAEED USTGEESOLI. PAPEES, 1743-56. 

Ex"^ and Adm"\ for Ever To Warrant & Defend the s'*. :N'egro 
to him the said Jared Ingersoll and to his Ex'"'., Adm". & 
Assigns as'ainst all Claims & Demands whatsoever. In Witness 
whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal this 31^\ Day of 
May AD: 1751. 

Signed, Sealed & Deliv'''^. Stephen Ailing [l. s.] 

in presence of 

Chauncy Whittelsey* 

Charles Whittelsev 



Epitaph on Isaac Steady Esq"*.'!" 
w^to depaeted this life ap^. 8 : 1754 being peoxy-day.t 

Here Lies, Squire Steady, for Religion Ever fam'd 
who ne'er in all his life got drunk, nor Ever gam'd. 
he had the Pious ^N'ack at right godly Devotion 
yet was troubled with an Itch for Worldly Promotion 
of which he long Laboured. Ah ! fatal Disease 
while flattering all. Courting all, he all did displease. 
So Equi-poised was his mind 'twixt One thing & another 
he never knew his own mind for two hours together. 

* Stephen Ailing, Jared Ingersoll, and Chauncy l^Hiittelsey had married 
sisters, the daughters of Colonel Joseph Whiting, of New Haven. 

t These verses, in Mr. Ingersoll's hand, are unsigned, but the erasures and 
interlineations betray the author. The subject is Isaac Dickerman, of 
New Haven, born 1677. died 1758, who on April 8, 1754, was defeated in 
the nomination of Deputies in the General Assembly of the Colony, of which 
he had formerly been a member. He served as a Deacon in the First Church 
from 1727 until liis dismission early in 1754 to the Separate or White 
Haven Clnirch; in which he was a Deacon from April 2, 1754, to his 
death. 

He married, as his second wife, on June 12, 1754, Elizabeth (Ailing), 
widow of John Morris, of East Haven. 

A very bitter feeling prevailed at this time between the supporters of 
the Rev. Joseph Xoyes, of the First Church (of whom Mr. Ingersoll was 
one), and his opponents, some of whom had founded the White Haven 
Meeting in 1742. 

t The day of the meeting of freemen in Connecticut towns for nominating 
Deputies to the C4eneral Assembly. 



JARED IN^GERSOLL PAPERS, 174.3—56. 229 

Long did the two houses for Eeligious Worship prepar'd 

Contend for his presence, which neither wholly shar'd ; 

he turn'd, to true blue & turned back & then turn'd again 

& doubtless in all had his godly Ends t' obtain ; 

but See fickle fortune ! when most She Seems to favour 

Says there's Something Suspicious in his Motly behaviour, 

too good for one Side, not proov'd Lasting good o' the t'other, 

is bid to give way to a more Deserving Brother ; 

Ev'n Just as his faith was Declar'd to be right Sound 

between those two Stools, he fell flat to y^ ground 

& falling Died — his worldly Life's no more. 

As to his Stature it was tall & his Age almost four Score, 

but what was worldly life to him who hopes E're long 

to Shine Illustrious Among that pious throng, 

where Join'd to South-End's Kich Widow full of grace & 

true light 
he'll Rise Immortal & Reign as Lasting full & bright 
as does a falling Meteor in a dark Cloudy jSTight ; 
flaming with pious Social Love at Seventy Seven 
Vigorous & Strong — Just like good folks in heaven. 



Letter of Col. Gurdon Saltonstall. 

:N'ew London :N'ov''. 3, 1755 
M''. Jared Engersol 
S^ 

I now adress you by my son Winthrop,* & on 
his behalf. 

I^pon mature Consideration, & advice, he has resolved to 
Study the Law; and as he will stand in absolute need of 

* Wintlirop Saltonstall, son of Colonel Gurdon Saltonstall (Yale College 
1725), and grandson of Governor Gurdon Saltonstall, was graduated at 
Yale in 1756, and spent his life in his native town of New London, employed 
in public office. 

As a day-book of Mr. IngersoU shows, young Saltonstall boarded in his 
family through his Senior year, paying five shillings a week. 



230 JAEED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1743-56. 

advice, & direction, I take the Freedom to ask the favour, of You 
to admit him into your Family, & under your Patronage ; if it 
be consistent with your Practice as well as agreable to the 
Family. 

Haveing consider' d Winthrop's Genius, am of Opinion, that 
there is as much reason to hope, he will make as good proficiency 
in the Study of the Law, as in any other branch of Literature. 

Should you consent to take him, favour me with the Terms 
on which you'l accept him ; which I doubt not will be reason- 
able, that I may give him such directions as may be necessary, 
with all convenient speed. 

And yoiil highly Oblige 

' Y^. Most Hum' Serv^ 

G: Saltonstall. 



Letter of Peter V. B. Livingston. 

]^ York May 31^ 1756 
S^ 

The Corrispondents to the Society in Scotland from [ ? for] 
Propigating Christian Knowlege are about buying a tract of 
Land in ISTew Jersey for the use of the Indians & purpose to 
settle the Rev*^. M''. John Brainerd* amongst them as their 
Minister; their Cash is so low that I can [not] see that they 
can possibly compleat their desigii unless they can very speedily 
get the money which M"". Brainerd put to interest to Mess'^ 
Cook, Day & Dyer, whose bonds M'". Brainerd tells me he has 
put into your hands. Wherefore I beg the favour of you to let 
me know how that affair stands by the very first opportunity, 
what sum you have rec'^. & what you still expect to receive and 

* John Brainerd (born 1720, died 1781) was graduated at Yale in 1746: 
and from 1747 to 1755 was employed by the Edinburgh Society for Prop- 
ogating Christian Knowledge as his brother David's assistant and suc- 
cessor in the mission to the Delaware Indians in New Jersey. 

He then had charge for a year of the Presbyterian Church in Newark, 
but in June, 1756, resumed his former labors, largely supporting himself 
from his private means. 



JAP.ED IXGEKSOLL PArERS, 1743-56. 231 

M^hen. I beg you will be very perticular, that the Corrispond- 
ents may know what to depend on & act accordingly. 
I am 

Your most hnm\ Serv*. 

P. V. B. Livingston.* 
[To 

Jared Ingersol Esq'^. 
at 
ISTew Haven] 



Letters of Rev. John Brainerd. 

:N'ew York, July 1, 1756 
Sir, 

I received the Money you left and all is right except that 
clip't Piece which I took for a double Pistole, f That is a 
Counterfeit & will by no means Pass. I have left it with M''. 
Peter Livingston to send by Cap* Bradly. I hope M''. Day 
knows who he had it of and will be able to return it, to the 
right owner. 

In Hast, 
Sir, 

Your humb Serv* 

John Brainerd 



Newark, Mar. 1, 1758 
Sir, 

Yours 23"^ Jan: came to hand last Evening. I had Just pre- 
pared a Line for you, which now you wont have the Trouble 

* Peter Van Brugh Livingston, an elder brother of Mr. IngersoU's 
intimate friend, William Livingston, was graduated at Yale in 1731, and 
became a merchant in New York. 

t Pistole was a Spanish coin, appearing in a single piece, a double or 
two-pistole piece, and a four-pistole piece or doubloon. Its value in the 
colonies varied from 16s, 6d to 22s, but in Virginia it was in common use 
as the equivalent of an English pound or 20s. 



232 JARED INGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1743-56. 

of. — I am not Sorry to hear you have received the full of mi/ 
Debt from Yale Bishop. You will be so good as to send it to 
M\ P. V. B. Livingston by the first Safe Opportunity, and Just 
Signify to him that it belongs to mev Personally, otherwise he 
may keep it in the Treasury and not send me Word. 

I am sorry for so many Delays with Respect to the publiek 
Money. But I doubt not you have done your best, and will do 
your utmost to procure the Remainder for us. The Want of it 
has been a great Disadvantage. You will please to send what 
Money you have by you, belonging to the Mission, also to 
M"^. Livingston. 

I hope you take Care of yourself, by the Way, as well as of 
us. It has been a troublesom xlfT. all round. I long to have 
it done with. 



In hast. 

Sir, 



Your humb Serv* 

John Brainerd 



[To 

Jared Ingersoll Esq"". 

at N^ew Haven] 



Letter of Joseph Goldthwait. 

At Onida Great Carryin Place,* Aug*. 14*^ 1756 
Dear Sir, 

Perhaps these Lines may surprise you. But, though I am 
absent from you have a Regard for my f rinds at your Place, 
& have wrote to many of Them. Therefore take the Fredom of 
writeing a few" Lines to you, (S: Encloseing one to my Dear Girle 
who, I hope is Well. 

I have not no Particular Xews to tell you off. Every thing 
this way Lays Dorment, waiting Lord Lowdenf Orders. Xo 

* The site of the present city of Rome, X. Y., where the waters that 
flow to the Hudson Eiver divide from tliose that flow to Lake Ontario. 

t The Earl of Loudoun arrived in Virginia in July, 1756, as commander- 
in-chief of the British forces in North America. 



JARED II^fGERSOLL PAPERS, 1743-56. 233 

Expedition will l)e Carryed on this way this Year. We are 
only upon the Defensive; we are fortvfiing- This Place. I am 
Posted Here till further Orders. It is Reporf\ that our Regi- 
ment will be order*^. to Hallifax, but Cant say How^ True it is, 
but Wish it may be so. 

Hope our Countrymen will do something at Crown Point; 
wait with Impatience to Hear of their Success which god Grant. 

]\Iy Compliments to your Lady, Master Jerree, & all Inquire- 
ing frinds, or any Body you have a Mind to. Beg yo\ favor me 
with a Line, and a ISTews Paper &f. will be Exceptable & am 
Dear Sir your most Humble SeiV. 

Joseph Goldthwait* 
Jared Ingersole Esq"^. 

* The writer of this letter, Joseph Goldthwait, Junior, bought land in 
New Haven in 1751. but sold out his holdings in 1754. He was born in 
Boston in 1730, attained the rank of Major in the Old French War, was 
loyal to the Crown in the Revolution, and died in New York City in 1779. 



234 JAEED USTGEESOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 

II. ]^Ew Haven and London, 1758-1764. 

In May, 1758, Mr. Ingersoll was appointed as Agent for the 
Colony of Connecticut at the Court of St. James. He reached 
London in January, 1759, and after resigning his agency in 
May, 1760, remained there for over a year longer. Before his 
return he contracted with the Commissioners of the I^avy to 
send them from America a ship-load of masts, etc. 

The following papers relate to his preparations for the voyage 
to London ; his life there ; his London landlady's letters after 
his return ; details of the fulfilment of his contract with the 
jSTavy Board ; and other incidents in his personal history. 



Letter of Rev. Jonathan Ingersoll. 

^ew York, June 14, 1758. 
D''. Brother; 

I this minit received a Line from you by Mr Darling, and 
am Sorry I had it not sooner. However, in my last, which I 
hope you have received, I gave you my Advice respecting your 
taking y'' Smal Pox by Innoculation ;* and y*^ more I hear, y^ 
more I am encouraged. I lodged at Mr Bostwicks y*" Presbyte- 
rian Minister of this Place, last night : a man of Sense & Reli- 
gion, who Strongly advises to it. He is considerably gross, and 
was innoculated last Summer with all his Family consisting of 
eight or nine, and, I believe, all together had not so large a Crop 
as I had, and were scarcely ill enough to keep House. I hope 
you will be preserved, & should rejoyce to be with you was it 

* Inoculation as a preventative of small pox, one of the most dreaded 
of diseases in the colonies, consisted in the injection of small pox virus from 
a mild case, in order to induce in the individual a mild form of the disease. 
jVIany objections to it were raised in the colonies, partly because of its 
dangers, and partly because of its interference with the "prerogative" of 
God. The Assembly of South Carolina forbade its use in 1764. The Sut- 
tonian method was that commonly used. The "crop" to which Jonathan 
Ingersoll refers is evidently of "pock-marks". 



JARED INGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 235 

possible; but it seems not possible, Consistent with &c &c. 
I heartily re Joyce in yonr Prosperity, and so bid you farewell 
wishing the best of Blessings may rest upon you, and y'' you 
may be made a rich Blessing to your Country. If Sir, danger- v 
ous, tempting Scenes you expect will open, watch & pi'ay. 
Hope we may See each other again in Life; be this as it will, 
let our highest Concern be to Serve our Generation by y® will of 
God, y^ we may die in Peace ; and possess Eternal Bliss. 

Your Affectionate Brother 

Jon*^ Ingersoll.* 
[To 
]\P Jared Ingersoll Esq'' 
at Brook-Haven 
on Long Island 
to be left at C. Murisons] 



Letter of William Samuel Johnson. 

'No one among y'". Friends does more sincerely & heartily than 
I do, Congratulate y''. Return Home & recovery from the small 
Pox. I had great Concern for you on Account of the hot 
Wheather which happened at the Time I imagined you had the 
disease upon you: And was sorry you had not before Innocii-* 
lation been advised of the surprising success of the Jersey 
Physicians in the use of Mercury & Antimony, as means to 
correct the virulance of that distemper, & render Innoculation 
safe for all Ages & Constitutions. But as the Event of the 
course you took has been so happy, it is now of no consequence. 
May this first fortunate step be an Omen, of a happy Voyage, & 
prosperous undertaking throughout 

* Jonathan Ingersoll, born 1714, the eldest brother of Jared Ingersoll, 
was graduated at Yale in 1736. 

He was settled as pastor of the Congregational Cluirch in Ridgefield, 
Connecticut, in 1739; and served in that office until his death in 1778. 
His eldest son was graduated at Yale in 1766, and became a distinguished 
lawyer in New Haven and Lieutenant Governor of the State. 



236 JAKED IXGEBSOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 

I shall be giad to know whether we shall have the Pleasure to 
see you at Litchfield, or whether von conclude not to attend this 
Circuit. 

I am with true Regard 

I)\ S\ Y\ Friend & humble Serv*. 
Wm. Sam\ Johnson* 
Stratford, Aug. 2, 1758. 

Jared Ingersol, Esq : J^ew Haven. 



Letter of Dr. George Muirson. 

Good Sir 

I Rec'^ Your Kind letter of the 30'^ July Informing me of 
the surrender of Louisbourgh ; tho' the Account proved prema- 
ture I made no doubt but that it would be so soon, If it was not 
so then, from the Constant ; heavy ; and Almost perpetual fire 
with w^^. we ply'd them. 

(I had also great Confidence from the knovni Ability and 
Integrity of two of the principle Commanders, one I had the 
honour and pleasure of being Acquainted with.) 

It is So now. I give you Joy thereof and Wish it to Every 
Englishman. 

Had we Succeded to the l^orthward in that one battle only. In 
My Opinion this part of the World Would have bin our own 
Soon. I most firmly beleive God In his good time Will Deliver 
us from Slaughter and put the ISTorth as Well as East in our 
hands. I would have a Small Matter of humain Means Made 
Use off, for great ones dont Avail us to the Northward, w* I am 
both Sorry for, and Ashamed off. 

I hope M^'^ Ingersall is well and happly freed from the Secret 

* William Samuel Johnson, born 1727, died 1819, was graduated at Yale 
in 1744. and became a lawyer in Stratford. 

In common with a large number of other leading citizens of Western 
Connecticut, Dr. Johnson refrained from active participation in the events 
which preceded and accompanied the American Revolution; but when the 
■struggle was decided, he accepted the result cordially, and took an important 
part in the constiuction of the new republic. 



JARED INGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1758-G4, 237 

and hidden fear's that Some body said She was possesed off, For 
as to Manifest ones no body On Our lie Was Wise Enough to 
discover. Pray give my Hearty Regards to her; M'"'' Muirson 
and the Whole doth the Same. I wish you Well Sir Here ; on 
your passage to England ; there ; and When you Return. 
Shall always be very glad to hear from you Especially when In 
Europe and be assured Dear S''. you are among the J^Tumber of 
the professed friends of 

Geo Muirson* 
[175S] 
10"\ Sep' At mght 

Your tingers — but my Eyes begin to fail me. 
[For 

Jared Ingersoll Esq"" 

at 'New Haven] 



Letter to Rev. Joa^athan" Ixgersoll. 

London, 16th Ap\ iToO.f 
B\ Broth-". 

I now write you from this far distant land of Old England, 
as I did frequently from iST : York while I was waiting there for 
a passage, during all which time I have not had the pleasure of 
receiving a line from you. I know your late Sickness must be 
your Excuse in great measure & perhaps altogether. 

I have not heard from any of my friends in America since 
my Coming away. Perhaps you are Still Labouring under 
weakness «fc infirmity tho I hope it is otherwise with you. Be so 
good as to write me one line at least. I myself was greatly 

* Dr. George Muirson, Jr., of Brookhaven. Long Island, born 1708, died 
178C. was the earliest practitioner in America of mercurial inoculation. 

t Another letter, dated on the day after this, to his friend William 
Samuel Johnson, is given in part in Beardsley's Life cmd Times of Johnson, 
pp. 15-16. 

A subsequent letter, written on December 22, 1759, is given in full by 
Dr. Beardsley, pp. 19-24. 



288 JARED i:S"GEBSOLL PAPERS, 1758-64, 

relax'd at first coming here & for some time after, owing, I 
Imagin, partly to the moistness of the Air in this Climate & 
partly to my being Confined almost all the way over, to my 
Cabbin in a close pent air. The Ocean was in Such a rage we 
Conld not go forth upon Deck nor yet Sit or Stand in the Cab- 
bin great part of the time. The passage was truly terrible & 
alarming, nor did w^e but with the utmost hazard Escape Ship- 
wreck finally at our making the Land, which was in the horrors 
of a Dark <t Stormy night with the wind fiercely blowdng on 
Shore. But through the Divine protection we Survived all 
those dreadfulls ; & how many & what Kind of disasters Still 
await you «t me, after those we already escap'd, God only 
knows. 'Tis a good thing to preserve a firm & Equal mind at 
all times, tho' 'tis difficult sometimes to preserve such a temper. 

And now methinks you want to have me break off this Strain 
vL' tell you Something of this Same Country I am in. What 
shall I tell you but that human nature is the Same here & three 
thousand miles off ; here is pain & pleasure ; here are Rich & 
poor, Xoble »!^' ignoble, Some worthy & Some very unw^orthy 
persons of Every Caracter & Denomination of men ; 'tis true 
here are vast improvements, many are the monuments of 
immense Labour & Skill & the Land is fine beyond w^hat I 
expected. The winter has been Exceeding mild but the 
growth of the Earth is unaccountable. I walkVl lately in the 
fields where I found the grass full Ancle high & better, thick & 
rank ; twould now mow" as good rowen. 

As to the Political world, they are all at work but those with- 
out Doors know little what is doing. 

His Majesty is in usual health, but Advanced in years, as you 
know ; 'tis a great Satisfaction to the nation to know that so 
well disposed a person as the Prince of Wales appears to be, is 
Likely to succeed to the Throne when his Majesty shall be no 
more. I have had the pleasure of frequently Seeing all the 
Poyal Family ; of being present in both the Houses of Parlia- 
ment, Courts of Common Law, &:c. &c. But of these things 
more particularly when we meet, as God grant we may in this 
Life asain in Due time. 



JAUED INGERSOLF. TAPERS, 1758-04. 239 

My kind regards to your family & proper Compr'. to all 
friends. 

I am y"". Cordial friend k Affec', Brother 
Jared IngersoU. 
[To 
Rev. Jonathan IngersoU, 
Eidgefield] 



ISToTES OF Decision of Case, Dering vs. Packer. 
Lords Com**, of Council, Cockpit, Whitehall* 



Deering of Boston, Xew England, V". 

Packer of ISF: Hampshire on an appeal 

from a Judgment of Supreme Court in IST 



1760 July 10 

Deering 
vs 

Packer 

Hampshire on bond Dated 30 July 1734, from Packer to Deer- 
ing payable 30 Jan^. 1735, Conditioned for payment of £2460. 
in good puhlick Bills of if Province of tf Massachusetts Bay or 
Current Lawfull money of New England with Interest. Case : 

The Def'. sometime about y^ year 1752 made a tendry of a 
Large Sum in the then Current bills of I^ew Hampshire, or 
out of which he told the Pf. to take his due, there having been 
many payments made & indorsed. The PI*, refused y^ money & 
afterwards brought his Action in which he obtained Judg-ment 
for y^ penal part of y*" bond by Verdict of y^ Jury in Decemb'". 
1758. Upon which the parties were heard in chancery of y*" 

* Henry Dering. a Boston merchant (born 1684), in settling in 1734 a 
business transaction with his wife's brother, Thomas Packer, of Portsmouth, 
New Hampshire, agreed to accept payment in Massachusetts currency or 
in "current lawful money of New England." 

Mr. Dering died in 1750, and in 1760 his son and executor, Thomas 
Dering. appealed to England against a decision of the Supreme Court of 
New Hampshire on the interpretation of the above-quoted phrase. The 
debt had already been paid in part, and the appeal was against the accept- 
ance of New Hampshire and Connecticut currency in payment of the 
remainder. 

The briefs in this case are in the British Museum. Additional ^lanu- 
scripts, 36,218, f. 44, transcripts of which are in tlie Library of Congiess. 



240 JAKED IXGERSOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 

bond agreeable to y"" Law of v® Province, & y*" Conrt gave Jndg- 
ment for y" Sum of £354.6.9yo Bills of Credit of I^ Hampshire 
N": Tenor, being y^ nominal Sum due at y® time of y*" tendry, 
deducting y^ Sums paid & indorsed, so that y^ Court went upon 
a principal that the Cred''. was holden to take y*" bills as ten- 
dred & that y'' Debtor was not holden to make good the depre- 
ciation of y^ Same nor to pay in Silver or real money. 

On y'' side of y* Appellant, viz y® Cred'"., it was Insisted that 
the payment ought to have been Either in the Bills of y*^ Massa- 
chusetts Bay (which it seems were all Called in & Sunk before 
the tendry) or in Silver money agreeable to the proclamation of 
Queen Ann, which they Insisted was the true meaning of that 
part of y^ Condition, viz Current LawfuU money of X Eng- 
land ; twas also by him Claimed to have all y*" Sums that were 
indorsed reduced in nominal Sum down to y*' Value of Silver 
at y*^ time of y*" giving of y*" bond which was about 27/ p'. oz. 

On y"" Side of y'' Def*. twas Urged that Current mone}^ of 
]!^ England at that time meant k was understood to be indif- 
ferently the bills of Credit of any, all, or Either of y*^ four 
]S[ England Colonies, that therefore y® tendry was in the Specie 
Contracted for, & that y*" Sums indorsed were not only of Course 
upon that Supposition Equal to the very Sums Expressed, but 
that the Cred''. by indorsing had agreed to & accepted of so 
much as y*^ Same Expressed in real as well as nominal Sum. 

Earl Grenvill Lord Presid*. & Lord Mansfield L'^. Ch. Justice 
of the Kings Bench, Expressed themselves fully upon y® words — 
Current Lawfull money of I^. England, in favour of y^ Cred''., to 
which y® other Lords agreed, that it did not mean Bills of pub- 
lick Credit of any Colony, but were put in Contradistinction to 
y'' Same.* 

Upon the whole L''. Mansfield said he was Clear on y® one 
hand that the Sums indorsed ought to be allowed according to 
the nominal Sums so indorsed. Equal to y*' Same Sums of 
money mentioned in the bond, cl' that the PI*, had no right to 

* [Note by Mr. Ingersoll.] Perhaps they were mistaken in that matter, 
not being acquainted with the Currency & Understanding of ye people in 
X. England, and ye Deft not well prepared to shew that matter. 



JAEED INGEESOLL PAPEES, 1758-04. 241 

have the Same any way reduced or altered — on the other hand 
that the tendry was not good in any respect, not only in that it 
was in a Species of Currency different from that Contracted 
for, but also in that it was out of time, being many years after 
the time for payment was Lapsed and also without Xotice. He 
said, what ! Shall a man meet his Cred^ in the Street Unawares 
& tender a Debt to him. The Chancery he said alloAv Six 
Months l^otice to be given of time & place. He said the Law 
of the Province Enabling the Court in such Cases to turn itself 
into a Court of Equity, & Chancer down the bond to the Sum 
due by y"^ Condition, was a very good thing & what S'". Tho^ 
More in his time Laboured so hard to obtain an Act of Parlia- 
ment for here, & because the Judges with whom he had Several 
Conferences about y*^ matter were for retaining the old Artifi- 
cial way, he declared he would always grant Injunctions in 
these Cases. He further said he was at no loss that the Judg- 
ment appealed from ought to be Reversed, but he was at some 
loss what Rule to go by in Ascertaining y*^ quantum of y® Debt, 
Since the Province Bills Contracted for ivere Called in & gone, 
& Seemed desirous to 'know ivliat the practice had been in 
N : England in such Cases. Upon this the Solicitor General 
being of Council for y® Def^. referred his Lordship to me as I 
was present, for information. Being asked I told the Court 
that old tenor when Contracted for had been allowed to be 
tendred, altho' depreciated in Value, if tendred in Season, that 
toward the Close of the Existence of old tenor and after the 
Same was Called in & Sunk when Judgments were given for real 
money this matter was much Agitated, viz how much to give. 
Some were for giving the Value of y® Old tenor or bills of 
Credit Contracted for as the Same was at the time when y® 
Obligation was out or y^ Debt become due, others would have it 
Settled as it was when at the least & worst period, others again 
were for taking a Medium, tho' the more general method where 
I was acquainted had been to take for the Rule the Value of the 
bills when they should have been paid by y® Contract. L"^. 
Mansfield upon it was pleased to say he had received much 
light & was relieved from his difficulty from what I had 



242 JARED I^N^GEESOLL PAPEES, 1758-^64. 

Informed, that he thought much might be said for taking as a 
Rule the Value of the old tenor at the time Set by the Contract 
for payment, that that, upon the mention of it, Struck him as 
the Rule of right as a general Rule ; hoivever, as this Case ivas 
Circumstanced, a bond outstanding so very long, — as the bills 
of publick Credit which were very much the Currency of the 
Currency [ ? Colony] Sunk gradually & became in Some meas- 
ure Every one's Loss, he thought the Same in this Case to be in 
Some measure at least divided between the parties ; So upon the 
whole instead of taking the price of Silver at y*" time of y® Con- 
tract and at y® time Set for payment* which was about 27/ p'". oz, 
the Lords of Appeal fixt it at 37/ and Computed y^ Debt accord- 
ingly. This made about £100. Sterling in favour of y^ Appel- 
lant but as no Costs are allowed in these Cases upon the Appeal 
he could not be much a gainer by promoting y* Appeal. 

]Sr. B. L*^. Mansfield in discussing this point said in all 
Appeals from determinations in the Plantations the Court from 
which the .Vppeal comes ought to Certify the whole matter as it 
Lay before the Court, & if the Judgment was founded upon a 
general Verdict the Court ought to State and Certify the whole 
Evidence as well the parol as any other, and that the Lords of 
Appeal had dismissed an Appeal because that had not been done. 

This might be difficult to be done when the Judges make 
no minutes ; here the practise is for the Judge to take min- 
utes of the Substance of all Evidence as the Same is Delivered 
in to y^ Court & Jury. 



[N^O.TICE OF DeAWIjN^G OF LoTTBRY. 

Lottery office, within Two Doors of Lord Mayors 
in the Poultry London ITovem". 20'^ 1761 
This day X". 53,G97 in the Present State Lottery, Register'd 
at this office, in your name was Drawn a Blank. 
Your most Humble Servant 

Rol)' Gray for G : Fearn 

* Dr. Stiles in his "Itineraries" gives the price of silver in 1735 as 
27s. 6d. and in 1734 as from 24s. to 27s. 



JAKED INGERSOLI. TAPKUS, lTr)S-(;4. 243 

P: S: [Illegible] Tickets, Shares, & Chances, are every day, 
mornings and evenings, during the whole time of Drawing are 
Selling at this Office ; where most Ready money is paid for 
Blanks and Prizes of This and former Lotteries. 

[To 

Jared Ingersal Esq'", of iSTew Haven in 
the Collony of Connecut. To the care of Rich*^. 
Jackson Esq\ Connciler at Law of the 
Inner Temple] 



Letters of Axn Davies (or Robinson). 

London: Sep' 14: 1761 
Sir 

M'' Harrison of Bread street was hear to day for places to see 
y^ procession of y^ Coronation and he told me he should send 
your Hankerchfs in a few days. So I tack this opportunity 
of troublen you with this and hope it will find you & your good 
Lady & son and all your f rends well and am in hopes to have 
a Confirmation of it soon from your hone hand writing. I sent 
the book as you order to Portsmouth with a Letter and M"^ 
Bucknell was so obligen as to send them back and wrote me word 
that y® Made was saild and no prospect of Her return; as I 
judge you wold be glad to have theam, got Mr Harrison to put 
them in ye parsal for you. I now must give you som acount 
of y*" hurly-burly we are in for I can not Call it anny better. 
Was you to see paleas yard you wold not know it; is all bealt 
round with Scaffold at y^ tops of thair houses ; but I beleave that 
will not answer, as I cannot find any will go at y® top of mine; 
not with standing I have had Ladders maid to go up and down, 
as you know how y'^ rufe is bealt and y*^ house [so] very grat 
hight that y*" peple seams to be afeard. Our Queen* Com to 
town last tusday arrived at S*. James at three aclock and was 
Marrad at ten that night. She was very fine, thair was gTat 

* Queen Charlotte, consort of King George III. was married on September 
8, and crowned on September 22, 1761. 



244 JARED IXGERSOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 

rejoyciiigs and a brilliant ball y" next night. Y^ peaple differ 
much in thair opinions of her; as she landed at Harridge she 
Com y® new road, and IF Harrison rode by y*" side of Coach for 
half a mile and he says she is very agreable but as not much 
buety ; I hope what she wants in purson she will have in mind. 
Thair was two Gentman of my acquatance as says thay wold not 
gave two pance for her, was she to be had. I have not seen hur 
so Can not gave my opinion. So soon as thair comes out a good 
print of her I will send own to you. I have sent M"^ Ingersoll a 
Coronation feaver and som ribbn which is much y'' tast hear at 
this time and hope she will be please to except of it. Y® Gent- 
man as took ye two pair Stares is a marchant, his name is Ver- 
nen. M'' Life recommend them to me, and W Pen of Pensa- 
vinea and his wife Lady julet is of y^ partay and seavearl 
Quakers. I was at own of thair houses last week and dined 
thair and was treated with a grat deel of good Manners. Miss 
Pen is to Com ye night befor and is to lay with me. Thair is 
no news talk of but waddings and Cornation show ; not a word 
do I hear of Peace, but you know I am no Politician ; I never 
trouble my self with state affears, so Can not say much about that. 
I had like to fogot y* y^ Queen was proclaim last satterday in y* 
same manner as ye wadding and Coronation was. M'^^ Galman 
was hear that day and inquired after you and desird her Comp^^ 
to you and like wise did my ^NTeace l^ancy Robts. I dout I shall 
tyher you with this long scroll but know you will be so good as 
to excuse all defects, so I conclude Wishing you & yours halth 
& happiness and am Sir you frend and hum^. servent tc 
Command. 

Ann Davies.* 

P. S. — pray my Comp*^ to good M''^ Ingersall and Master and 
hope y® Close was liked and bag, likewis my respacks to M'" 
Harrison. 

* Mrs. Ann Davies (afterwards wife of William Eobinson) was the 
landlady at whose house in Palace Yard Mr. Ingersoll boarded during his 
stay in London in 1759-61. 



JARED IXGERSOLL PAPERS, 175S-C4. 245 



London Feb. 28 : 1762 

Sir 

Yonr Letter dated Oct 20 : at J^ : York Com to hand in Jami- 
ary last. I was very glad to hear yon was safe arrived after bain 
so long at See ; but, as yon had good Company and your good 
friend Temple yon posable might pass yonr time agreable on 
bord a ship. I likewis was feaverd with a letter da^ y^. 9 of 
Deee"', ware in yon tell me you found good M" Ingersall & Son 
<t all your friends well which no dought must Contribate gratley 
to yonr happiness which I Congratulate yon on. I wrote you in 
Sep. last and sent y^ Books that Com from y® Arts & Sciences 
and took y®. liberty to send M"^^ Ingersall a Corronation feaver 
and some Ribbn. Mr Harrison was with me and told me he 
should send your Handkerchief and expect y'^ ship to sale 
Derecteley, so I maid huse of that optuney and wase in hopes 
they got safe some time sence. I now must give you som 
account of y^ Corronation ; it was Conducted very badley ; it 
was quit darke when y® possession Com back from y*. Abbey, 
which maid y'^. Company very angry as it was y^. bast part of y^. 
Show, but ware y*" fait lay I know not, but som says it was y® 
Bishops ; his Majeste was not pleased with it. I beleave thair 
neaver was so maney people assemble to gather before and 
realy maid a very fine apprence as every own was drest and 
strove to out do each other. Palace yard was scaffold all round 
and ye possession want round Mr ISTins Corner which maid 
places and rooms let much more. I beleave I was as well of as 
any own in y". row except M''^ Cam and she M"" Matterson sude 
and recovear 1 hunderd & 50 pouns dammage this turm, and 
likewis M'' Car he as sued and got 1 hunderd pounes of him. 
Mr Car was y® new Commer and had y® hansom Daughters. 
M'" Matterson is very ill ; y'' Lord send him a good jurney for I 
thank him a very bad man. Thair is sad affair at Lord Pen- 
brucks,* he is gon of with a yong Lady, Daughter to a Gentle- 

* Henry Herljert, 10th Earl of Pembroke, had just eloped with Miss 
Hunter; but returned to his wife and to his employments in 1764. 



246 .TARED I]S'GKRSOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 

man who is own of y^ Lords of j'^ Admaltry, his name is Hunter ; 
his Majstv is very angry with Lord Penbrnek and as tuck all 
his inployments from him and his Lady is all most mad. 

I have seen y*^. Queen and indead I think her a very bad 
peace, for she is very short and a disagreable face ; she has not 
y^ hick of a gentlewomen, much more a Queen. I am much 
disturbe ye King as not a hansomer wife, but what she wants 
in buety I hope she will make up in goodness. I will send you 
a print of her as soon as thare is own like her; thar is a grat 
maney that is don but not any that is like. 

now for Mr Pit. you diser I will gave you acount how he 
Cam to be out ; you know I am no Politician but will gave you as 
good acount of it as I Can. The chief reason of Mr Pits resign- 
ing is that he was of Opinion that tharr should be imeadiatly 
Warr declared against Spain as it would be greatly for y". 
Nations advantage, as a Spainish Warr seemd quite unavoidable 
to him & there fore the sooner they began it, the better it would 
be for the publick good ; but the Majority of y*". Gentlemen in y®. 
Ministry was of a different opinion, upon which he thought 
proper to quit his Commissions, but thay soon found thar mis- 
take and was obliged to follow his measures. 

I now must say som thing of my salf. I am in Buckingham 
Stret, york Buildings,* but did not geat in to my house til y®. 
11 of 'Nov. and Strouds time was up 29 of Oct, but I was oblige 
to storm ye Cassal and Com in by force. I have not got all my 
money from Stroud and beleave I neaver shal for he plays lest in 
site. I found my goods very much dammaged and thay have 
Cost a good deal to put tham in repeair; as to what I am doing 
I do asure you I pass my time but very porley. I wish I could 
say palace yard seamed Dream to me. I have neave ben well 
sence ye Corronation. I am very low spirits and geat leatle or 

* "York Buildings" was a term applied to the houses and other buildings 
between the Strand and the river Thames, a short distance east of where 
Charing Cross station now stands. They formed a group of streets ajid 
alleys named after George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, George Street, 
Villiers Street, Duke Street, Of Alley, and Buckingham Street. "Oflr Alley" 
is all tliat now remains. 



.TARED INGERSOLL TAPERS, l75S-Gi. 247 

no sleep at night the fortage [^fatigue] of y^ Corronation Day 
was more then my Spirats Cold bail*. I fanted a way and fell 
down twis, a hnrt own of my arms very much, I was up all ye 
night before Corronation. I neaver went throu so much fortage 
in so shot atime. Acordon to your ordars I have paid y® money 
to your Banker 50 pounes and wish it had bin 5 hundeard. I 
maid but 15 Shealins of y®. top of y^. hous, as I did not scaffal, 
and thay that did got but litle and som out of pocket. It Cost 
12 pouns of money, y^. benches and repares in y*" in side of y*. 
house and the Mob Com from orthr houses. I got Mr Cuttel to 
keep gard thair but it was more than he cold do. The top cost 
4 pouns to mend it, not but I beleave I was imposed on by 
worck man, but what cold I do. I paid Mr Fuller and we 
parted very good Frinds. 

I beleave I shall tyear you with this long letter. You see I 
dont falow your Example for I mus say your letters is very 
short. Pleas not to make no more use of y*^. franks, for at y^. 
post office thay know ware y*^. Letters Coms from and thay 
Charge duble postage. I paid two shealens for that Letter as 
you put in y^. frank I beg y*' feaver you will let me know 
how M'"*. Ingersall liked her Close & goods and what ye peaple 
said of them and if thay was liked in geanral and how Temple 
behaved. It was said hear that Lord Stirlin was arrasted for to 
or three thousens pouns as soon as he got to new York; pray 
send be word if that is trew 

Give my Comp'^. to your good Laday and son and if I can be 
of any Servies to her in this part of y^. world I bag she will 
Command me. My nees diserd her Comp*^ to you and says she 
shal be glad to see you heare. I hope you excuse all y®. defects 
in this Letter, and I Conclude wishing you &: yours all halth & 
happiness and am your friend and humble Servent to Command 

Ann Davies 

P. S. Ye InClosed Letters, two Com to my bans in ]!^ovem- 
ber and y® rest in January. I though it proper to send them as 
I did not know but they might be of som Consequnce; it is 
said hear that Mrs Wright expects Temple ouver in ^lay next. 



248 .TARED INGEESOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 

I hope you will be kind a imff to ansure this Scroll and von will 
much oblige yours. I have had two Gentleman to lodge but 
thair are gon in y®. Contry and I now quit a lone which makes 
time pass very dull. 



London Ocf 4: 1762 
Sir 

I Eeceived your Letter, dated June 16, which Could not but 
gave me great pleasure to hear you & you good Lady & son was 
well. I was seprised you had not received won of my Letters. 
I have sent three since you left this plase. I was with Mr. 
Harrison and he was a good deal Concernd you had not received 
the Handkerchen but hope you got them be fore now. 

I must answer both your Letters in won, as I was Favourd 
with that dated 19 of July soon after y^ first, and was glad to 
hear you at last got won of my Letters. I assure you it is a 
great pleasure to hear from you, and I will do every thing in my 
power to retorn y^ obligation. I have ten thousand things to 
say. Cold it be don by word of mought, — howeaver I moust gave 
you som acount of my sealf. I am at preseant in Buckingham 
street and have a gentman & Lady Bord with me, but will not 
be for any time. If Mrs. Ingersoll is enclined to have a pr of 
Stays I will do my indeavour to send her a pair of the most 
fashionable that is wore. As to Jumps no one wares them but 
what gives suck ; half Boned stays is what is most wore, some of 
Sailk and some of stuff. The silk is two pound five & the stuif 
one pound five ; but if she pleases she may have them full boned 
as useal, only very limber. 

There is a great talk of paice at present, but it is to be hoped 
not before the parliament meets. In one of yours you say you 
don't know but you may wunce more see England and then you 
will make me a visite. I know no one I shall be so glad to 
[see] as my good frend Mr. Ingersoll, and then hope I shall 
have the pleasure to see your good Lady, for if I was in her 
plase you should not leave me behind, for you know how often 
you wished for her when you was in England before ; so if 



JAKED IXGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1758-04. 249 

you come without her you know the Lose. But of that you are 
the best judge. So I Conclude with my best respects to you 
both, wishing you every Earthly Blessing that this world 
affords, 

I am Sir your most obliged servant, 

Ann Davies. 

P. S. — According to my promise I have sent you a print of 
the Queen, the last and best that has been done, and two small 
prints of the [Thames ?] which I hope you will please to 
except ; thay will sai*ve to devert 3^ou at your leasure hours. 
• 1 have had a gTeat los of my purs with three guineas & some 
silver which give me som uneasiness ; but that wold not fetch it 
again. 



London Feb^. 2: 1763. 
Sir 

I reciv'd your most Esteem'd favour of the 7 Augst by the 
way of Ireland last week. I must beg leave to asure you that 
it gives me the greatest pleasure to Hear that you and your 
family are well, and I flatter my self that you will continue that 
pleasure to me when ever you have an opportunity. It makes 
me extremely happy that any Little thing that I have done 
meets with ]\F^ Ingersoll Aprobation, and I hope you will do me 
the Justice to believe that there is nothing within the compass 
of my small Abileties shall ever be wanting to serve you both 
when you think proper to employ me, I am inclined to 
believe that the additional Kitchen will answer your Expec- 
tation. 

I am a very bad politician, therefore you must not Expect 
much political news from me. I dare say you had been in- 
formed long ago of the Glorious and Advantageous peace our 
new Ministry has made. I can't tell what you Gentlemen in 
America think of it, but it struck the good people here with 
amazement, and thay talk'd lowdly of bringing the Adviseres 
to the Scaffold when the Parliament mett ; luit thav were 



250 JARED INGEESOLL PAPEES, 1T58-G4. 

greatly mistaken: the Scott* had the Majority in hoth Houses 
4 to one, he has intirely altered the good old System of gover- 
ment. The whigs are out to a man, and in their ro(jm the most 
notorious Jacobites sit Trumphtant over the ruins of thair 
Country. Yours and his Countris frind Pitt spock against it 
near three hours, but could not find any to Second him in all 
that Asembly ; Bribery and Corruption had so blinded them, 
that thay quietly Suffered their Country to be shamefully sold. 
Bute and a Certain Ladyf entirely governs the three Kingdoms 
with a very high hand, and it is greatly to be feared they will 
soon set it in such a flame that thair posterity will Curse thire 
memory : this much for Politics. 

I shall only add that I am at present under som difficulty. 
I wish that I was near you. I am sure you would not deny me 
your good advice. My Case is this. Our army & Xavy beeng 
disbanded, the Gentlemen have nothing to do but plague us 
poor women. One of them has taken it into his pate to plague 
me with his nonsense; he has laid very Close Siege som time, 
and how to make him raise it I am at a Loss. I know you will 
say, the old fool has got Matrimony in her Silly noddle again, 
and she will certainly have the man ; I realy cannot tell whither 
I shall or not. I wish I had your Opinion of him. He is 
neither old nor ugly, has plain sense and som money ; as for his 
Temper, I intend to try Suffisiently before I trust him. I must 
beg your advice in your next. I hope to hold out till then, if it 
is between this and the middle of the summer. I wrote to you 
some time ago and Commited it to the Care of Mr Harrison 
(with a print of her majesty), where in I give you some account 
of the stays you mentioned. M^ Ingersoll was certainly in the 
right, for no Ladys wears Jumps but those that gives Suck. 
The Stayes worn at this time are called half Bone. Thay are 
made both sides alike, so thay may be turned at pleasure. 
Thay are what I have wore some years. They are made of 
Callimanco or Silk Tabbj' or rich sattin as Ladis likes. Silk 

* The Earl of Bute, first Lord of the Treasury and head of the Ministry, 
t The Princess Dowages of Wales, mother of King George III. 



•TARKD IXGERSOT.L PAPERS, 1758-G4. 251 

are two pounds five and stuff one pound five: if M"^ Ingersoll 
will please to inform me which of them she chooses, and send 
me her measure, thear shall be nothing wanting in me to Exe- 
cute her Commands. 

I suppose I have tyred you, therefore shall only repeat my 
former request; that is, I may have the pleasure of hearing 
that you and your family are well at all oppotunities. Present 
my best respects to M"^ Ingersoll and Son and please to except 
the same from. 

Sir, Your most Obedient and Humble Servant 

Ann Davies. 

I told you in my last I had the misfortune 
to lose my Purs with three guineas & some silver. 
I can't help leting you know my misfortunes. 
[To 
Jer'^'. Ingersoll Esq^ 

in New Haven Connecticute 

to the care of IP Theophyl. Brache 

Merch* in ^N'ew York] 

June: 29: 1763 
Sir 

your Letter dated 28 of April Com safe to hand and I have 
sent you the things you disird to have and hope the Jumps will 
fit and pleas Mrs Ingersall as thay are ye best sort that Can 
be maid. I likewise send the hat Cover and 12 p"" of Socks, 6 
pr Cotton and 6 pr wosted and som laces for the Jumps. I am 
very sorry you have not receav no letter from me as I have wrote 
to you several times. I forgot to mention in iny last Letter the 
prints were in a Trunk to Tho^ Hancock Esq'^ in Boston whear 
Mr Harrson sends to. I shal write to you by y^. post which 
posably will reach you before this. Please to make my Com- 
pliments to M''' Ingersall and son and tell her very thing that is 
in my power to oblige her she may command 

and am S*". your frend and 
Hum^. Servent Ann Davies 



252 .TARED IXGERSOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 

P. S. the Box you had with som 
writings of M"" Davies Com back 
to me and the person that brought 
them demand 5 shealens 
[To 

Jar'd Ingersal Esq""] 



London Ocf. 18, 1763. 

Sir : — I receved yours dated y®. 8 of June a few dayes after 
I had sent the Jumps and things you write for in two former 
Letters, and took it for granted that Mrs. Ingersoll Chose 
Jumps, and am very sorray thay was made as she like Stays 
better. As they are very hansom and fit for any lady to ware ; 
I Dare vanter to say if she dislikes them then thair is a nough 
that will be Glad to take them of her hands. 

Xow as you say a word upon politicks I am sorry it should 
give you so much disgust. I only ment to let you know what the 
people said hear ; but now thear quit turnd Cap in hand, and 
thay that was for his Lordship is much against him and say 
thay will have his head next sesions of parliment. But no 
more of that as I am no politican. Hope you will excus all I 
say as I wold not Chus to fall out with my frends a bout state 
afeairs. 

I was feaverd with a letter from you dated 6 of July, and 
have sent the muffs & Tippits and hope thair are what the 
Ladys will like. Thear are what is most Eashionable hear. 
The things have been bought this month, but cold not send them 
before. I waited on Mr Harrison and Mr Bridgell (he was 
kind anough to send the last things) but neither of them had any 
thing to new york. I therefore imbraced the present Oppor- 
tunity which is by a young gentleman that Lodged at my House 
who goes to new york and as promised to take the same care of 
them as his own and see them delivered to Mr Theophylact 
Bache your acquaintance in new york in whoes care I have 
Directed them and hope thay will go safe to you. The Gen- 



JARED INGEESOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 



253 



tlemans name is Pringle, a Relation of General Mnrrays,* 
Governor of Quebeck, to whom he is going. The name of the 
[vessel ?] is the ^ew Hope, Cap\ Fell. You talke of Coming 
to England, and hope you will bring ]\F^ Ingersoll with you, as 
you know how much you was at a loss with out her. Please to 
make my best respects and tell her I shall be very glad to see 
you both in this Country and hartily wish you a safe Voyage. 
I am now to acquaint you that I am in for life again. I am 
afraid you will laugh at me but I cannot help it, it is now too 
late. Mr Robinson joynes me in our best respects to you & 
family, and am Sir 

Your most Obliged Humble Servant 

Ann Robinson 

P. S. — I hope to hear in you next that you have 
reed, all the things safe. I have here sent you a 
Billof the Whole: 

£ s d 



Hatt Case .... 


. 12 


Jumps .... 


.250 


Lacess .... 


.030 


Socks .... 


.096 


Box .... 


.010 


Muffs and Tippits & Box 


.290 



5 19 6 



London 10*^ l^ov". 1763 
Sir 

I rec'd your much Esteemed fav'. of the 6*^. of July (Some 

time ago,) and according to your disire went emmediately & 

purchas'd the muffs and Tippits: you may depend upon it, that 

I laid out the money to the best of my knowledge : they are 

what is entirely the present Taste. I showed them to several 

Ladies of my Acquaintance who all pronounced them extreemly 

* James Murray was military governor of Quebec, 1759-1764, and the 
first civil governor of all Canada. 1764-1766. 



254 JAREI) INGERSOLL PAPEBS, 1758-G4. 

pretty. I shall think my self hapy if M^^ Ingersall is of the 
same Opinion when she sees them, which I hope will be soon: 
the Ship SaiFd a fourtnight ago. I embraced the first Oppor- 
tunity to send them. They come by a young Gentleman of the 
Armey that Lodged at my House who promised to take par- 
ticulare care of them and see them deliverd to ]\F Theophylact 
Bache your acquaintance in N'ew York to whoes Care they are 
Directed. The Ships name is the good Hope Cap\ Fell and 
the gentlemans jSTame that has them in Charge is Pringle, a near 
Relation of Gen^ Murrays Governor of Qubeck tow home he is 
going. I am in hopes to have the pleasure of seeing you and 
M" Ingersall in England soon ; when ever it hapens I sincerly 
wish you a safe Voyage. Mr Robinson Joins me .in our best 
respects to you, M'^. Ingersall and Master, and I hope you will 
belive me to be with great Truth 

S'". your most Obligd 
Humble Servant 

Ann Robinson 

s-^ 

I received your favour of the 13th of ^oV last inclosing your 
Draft which I have Reed. It gives me great pleasure to hear 
that you and your family are well. I sent you a letter the first 
of ISTov'". last, to acquaint you that I had sent the Muffs & Tip- 
pits you desired me to buy : they are the genteelest that is wore 
and what is the present Taste, and I hope they will please. We 
have been informed that the Paquet that had my letter in was 
cast away on the Coast of Carolina and the mail was entirely 
lost ; therefore you have had no advice, and I have not heard 
that the Ship is Arrived at new York, that had them on board. 
Her name is the Kew Hope Cap* Fell and Saild from hence in 
l^ov^. ; the gentlemans that had them in his care went from my 
House, is Cap*. John Pringle a very near relation of Gen Mur- 
rys Governor of Qubeck to whom he was going. He promisd to 
deliver them into the hands of Your friend at new York Mr 
Bache to whoes care they are directed, and I hope you have 
Recev*^ them before this. I flattered my self with the hopes of 
seeinc; you before this in Eno-land bv vour last Letter I sin- 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1T58-G4. 255 

eerily wish you a safe passage when ever you doe com. I am 
glad you have put it off till the Spring for neaver was there a 
more Tempestuous winter nor so many loses at Sea; the 
Accounts are Terrible. We have had a marriage between the 
Prince of Brunswick and the Princess Augusta; he stayd 
about a fourth night, and has been gone about ten days with his 
wife. I had the pleasure of Seeing him at Court, and think 
him Extreemly agTeable; he was universally Esteemed by all 
ranks of People. Please to make my best respects to M'"^ Inger- 
soll & Son and am with great Esteme S'' your most Obliged 

Humble Servent 

Ann Robinson 
Febry 9 : 1764 

Letters to Gov. Penning Wentworth. 

E" : Haven '^ov' 14 1Y61. 
S^ 

having Engaged with y® Commissioners of his Majesty's 
l^avy to procure one Ships Load of Masts &c by y® way of Con- 
necticut River for y® Kings LTse, I am to Desire you to appoint 
Some proper Person to Designate the trees & timber to be made 
Use of in order to y^ fulfilment of y* Contract,* agreeable to his 
Majestys Directions Signifyed upon y* Copy of y'' Contract 
which I herewith send to you for your perusal. 

the Bearer Cap*. Wyllys will be able to acquaint you more 
particularly when & where it will be needfull to have y® Service 
performed. 

I am S'" 

Y^. Very HumV Serv*. 

J. Ingersoll. 
Benning Wentworth Esq'' 
[Copy.] 

* Ingersoll's contract with the Navy Board was dated December 19, 1760, ^ 
and called for eighty masts of so many inches diameter at a certain height 
from the ground. The best timber for masts ran from 35 to 36 inches in 
diameter and while not to exceed the latter figure at the butt, was to 
measure as many yards in length as inches in diameter. Tlie average mast 
ship carried about 50 sticks, but Ingersoll's ship seems to have carried 
the full number called for by his contract. 



256 JAEED INGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 

A^. Haven IS''^ DecemR 1761 

s^ 

Your favour of / 27*^^ Ult I Duly rec"^ by Cap\ Wyllys, & 

in Answer beg Leave to acquaint you that I have agreed with 

y" Said Cap*. Sam\ Wyllys & Mathew Talcott Esq'", both of 

Middleton in this Colony to procure the Stores Stipulated for in 

my Contract with f Comm'l of his Majestys J^avy, & that it is 

intended to procure y*" Same upon Connecticut Kiver, as near 

y^ Same as may be, along y^ borders of y*' Same from Deerfield 

& y^ Cowhees* Inclusive. 

You will therefore be so good as send y^ proper Licences as 

mentioned in your Letter by the bearer. 

I am S^ 

with great Respect 

Y^ most Obed\ 

HumV. Serv\ 

J. Ingersoll 
Gov''. Wentworth 

[To Benning Wentworth Esq'". Surveyor General of the 
Kings woods. Copy.] 



Letter of the N^avy Board. 

Xavy Office 26"\ Janrv: 1762. 
Sir 

As We have not yet heard from you, since your return to 

Connecticut, concerning the dependance We are to have on being 

supplyd with the Cargo of Masts for which you Entered into 

Contract with Us on his Majesty's behalf the 19*'^ of December 

1760 ; and it being of great consequence to his Majesty's Service, 

that We should have this information as soon as possible for Our 

government in appointing the time for coming to a new Contract 

for supply of American Masts ; We have thought it necessary 

to desire you will give Us the most early and full Account you 

* Coos or Cowhees is on tlie Xew Hampshire side of the Connecticut river, 
a short distance below the Canadian line. • The name is now given also to 
the northernmost countv in the State. 



JAEEl) IXGKKSOLL PAPERS, 1758-04. 257 

can both as to the time of supply, and whether from the fresh 
information you must have had since your arrival at Connect- 
icut, the number and sizes of large IMasts will conform, as you 
gave Us reason to hope, to the aforesaid agreements. We arc 

Your humble servants, 
G Cokburne Tho Slade W. Bately E Mason 

T Brett R Temple* 

Jared Ingersoll Esq"". 

Newhaven in Connecticut. 



Letters to the ^STavy Board. 

iSTew Haven in Connecticut 13 Feb : 1762 

this Serves to acquaint you that Since my Arrival home I have 
agreed with Several persons here of good reputation & iirmness 
& well acquainted with Mast Timber, to Carry into Execution 
the Contract I Entered into when in England for Supplying 
One Ships Load of Masts &c. 

the persons So Undertaking have been & viewed the timber 
& Eiver by which the Sticks are intended to be Conveyed to y'' 
Sea, & have applied to & Obtained of y^ Surveyor General the 
ISTecessary Licences &c, and have now Every thing ready for 
making the trial, of which I hope to be able to give you a good 
Account in my !N^ext. 

I am S'^ 

y Very Humb' Serv'. 

J Ingersoll 
Tho^ Slade Esq^ 

Copy 

y. Haven 13 Mav 1762 
S"^ 

l^our favour of the 26*^ Jan^". I received this Day and for 
answer am to acquaint you that I wrote you the 13 Feb Last, 

* The Xavy Board consisted of the principal officers (treasurer, comp- 
troller, and surveyor) and three commissioners. Of the names here signed 
Cockburn was comptroller and Slade and Bately were surveyors. 



25S JAEED INGEESOLL PAPEES, 1Y58-64. 

which I hope you have received hefore now, in which I 
informed von that I had procured Certain Gentlemen here of 
Undoubted Ability «t Judgment in the business, to Undertake to 
Execute y^ Contract I made for Supplying One Ships Load of 
Masts &c, and that they had reconnoitered the Country — found 
Every thing agreeable & bad procured tbe liecessary Licences 
from tbe Surveyor Gen\ &c and intended Soon to Enter upon 
the business. 

I have now to acquaint you that these Same Undertakers have 
felled and got down near y'^ River Some & are now at work get- 
ting the wdiole of y® Sticks agTeed for, & bope to have them all 
at the Sea Side this Season. Nothing that I know of will pre- 
vent, Unless a Scarcity of rain should occasion the waters of y® 
River to be too Low; of this I sball be able to inform you in 
about Six weeks time. 

if the Sticks Can be got down this Season, I shall hope to 
bave tbem Delivered at Portsmoutb by 'Next Christ^ 

I believe Sticks of any needed Size may be bad. 
I am S'". 

Y^ most Obed*. 

HumV. Serv*. 

J Ingersoll 

G. Cockburn Esq'^ 

Controller of his Majestys J^avy 
Copy 

IvTavy Office 5 July 1762 
Sir, 

We bave received your letter of 13*^ May last, and as we have 
thereby tbe satisfaction of finding tbat you have no doubts 
about complying with the Agreement you are under for Masts, 
We have only to recommend to you, to omit nothing that can 
enable you to make the delivery in as short time as possible ; 
and to repeat our request, that so soon as it is in your power, 
you will send us some more particular Accounts concerning the 
Xumber and Sizes of Masts that you find may be procured in 



JAKED IXGERSOLL PAPERS, 1758-04. 259 

Connecticut, as von have said in your aforesaid Letter, that 
you beleive Sticks of any Size may be had. "We are 
Your humble Servants, 

G. Cokburne Tho Slade W. Bately E Mason 

R Temple 
Jared Ingersoll Esq'' 

ISTew Haven in Connecticut 



X Haven 12 Ocf 1762 
Gent^ 

I rec''. your favour of y*" 5'^ July last week k have now to 
Inform you that the most of y^ Sticks are felled which are to 
furnish the load of Masts &c I am to provide for the Kings Use, 
among which are two which tis Expected will work 36 inches. 
The people are now busy in getting the Sticks to the border of y^ 
River & you may Depend that y® very first Opportunity of a 
freshit will be Embraced for getting them to y^ Rivers mouth, 
which however may not happen before y*^ next Spring — imme- 
diately after which they will be laden for Portsmouth. 

I pay the greatest Attention to this business, from Views not 
only of discharging my present Obligations but also of future 
benefits as Avell to y® publick as to myself. 
I am Y^. most Obed 

HumV Serv\ 

J Ingersoll 
To y'^ Hon''. Commiss^ of his 

Majesty' 'Nhyj 
Copy 

X Haven 1 March 1763 
Gentlemen 

I have now to Acquaint you that I received Information a 
few Days since, from the Managers under me, of the Mast affair, 
that they have got down to the River Side a sufiicient number 
of Very fine Sticks to Complete the Load agreed for, among 
which are two of thirty Six Inches ; and as there is at this time 
a great body of Snow on the ground in those parts, there is no 
doubt of Sufficient water in y* River within a Month or two to 
float y^ timber to the place of Lading. As soon as this is done 



260 JAKED I^'GEKSOLL PAPEES, 1758-64. 

T shall write to London for a Ship to Carry y^ Same to Ports- 
mouth, 

I am told ]\I'' Wentworth, the Surveyor General of y^ Avoods, 
has Sent to Inspect y"" Conduct of y^ workmen & is about to 
Seize a few Sticks which have been felled under Contract 
dimensions, k tis not Unlikely he may Communicate to y'" board 
whatever of this matter he shall think worthy of Notice. I have 
therefore to Inform you on this head that there has not been any 
more of those Smaller Sticks felled than was absolutely neces- 
sary to Clear y*" way to the Larger — that there is but very few 
of these & nothing near so many as have been Usually felled on 
the like occasions. I hope no prejudices will be Conceived on 
this or any other Account relative to my Conduct in this Affair, 
as I mean nothing more or less than to Execute the Contract 
with all fidelity. I should not have mentioned this Circum- 
stance but that I am Sensible my Undertaking in this Affair is 
not unlikely to meet Avith many discouragments of Various 
kinds, and I should be loth to have so promising a beginning 
meet with any from Small matters. 

if things Succeed according to Expectation tis not Unlikely 

I may think of going over to England myself with the Masts ; 

if so shall hope to have y® pleasure of Seeing you & y*^ honour of 

receiving your further Commands, 

I am 

Y^ Most Obed\ 

Hum'' Serv*. 

J Ingersoll 
to the 

Commiss^ of v*^ Xavv 

[Copy.] 



Letter to Col. Symes, 

Hartford March 3 : 1763 

s-- 

I have Just time to acquaint you with my Surprize at hear- 
ing you have Orders from the Surveyer Gen' of his Majesty's 
Woods to sieze a part of the Sticks felled bA' the Gentlemen Avho 



JAREn INGERSOLL PAPERS, ] 758— 04, 261 

have Undertaken to Carry into Execution the Contract I have 
made with the Commissioners of the I*^avj. I am made to 
lielive none have been felled but such as have been Expresly 
designated for that purpose by one of the Surveyors own Depu- 
ties. I have therefore obtained to my self the property of those 
trees so felled, agreeable to his Majestys express directions, & 
shall resent in a proper Manner any Infringment that shall be 
made on such my property. I doubt not you will be disposed 
from the account I have of you to act the fair part. I have 
sent the bearer ]\r" Burnham to Learn more particularly the part 
you have been Instructed to act in the aifair, to whom I shall 
be glad you will Comunicate freely Every thing on that head 
Consistant with your Duty ; and doubt not with your ready 
Complyance which shall be gratefuly acknowledged. 

if you shall think your self to Enact any such orders as 
before Mentioned I trust you will Look on your self as holden 
to do me the least prejudice in your power. 
I am S'" 

y Most Obedient 

Humble Sarv* 

J Ingersoll 

P S the sirplus number of sticks are ment only to suply 
Losses that may happen in the bringing down the River, and I 
am ready to give any Security that none shall be applyed to 
private uses. • 



Lo S\mies 



J. L 



Letter to the Xavy Board. 

iS^: Haven 8 June 1763 
Gent". 

I have now the pleasure to acquaint you that my people have 
got down the River a number of very fine Sticks of the Dimen- 
sions as Set down in the Inclosed list, to which are to be added 
about 8 or 10 more of dimensions not yet sent to me, that have 
Come down over the rapids since the main body. 

* This copy is in a clerk's liaiuhviiting. 



262 JAEED I^^GEI?SOLL PAPEKS, 1758-64. 

the onlv misfortune that has attended the floating down was 
the breaking in two a fine 37 Inch which will only make a 
Bowsprit as it now is — also a 36. is at present lodged on a 
rapid with about 20 other Sticks, where they must Lie till next 
Spring; the water has been remarkably Low this Season. 

We have now Learnt that the best & Even Largest of Sticks 
may be Obtained this way, but that Some little Expence ought to 
be had to make y*" thing as it should be ; we have also learnt this 
at no small Expence as being the first Attempt — Every thing- 
new — & all materials to provide. 

I should have wrote for a Ship by this Oportunity, but that 
we have sent for an Experienced Liner whose Judgment & 
actual proof of y^ Sticks we Choose to have first. I shall hope 
to be able to send by y'^ next Packet at farthest, when I shall 
take the liberty to desire my Correspondent to wait on y*^ board 
with an Exact acc°. of y*' N^umber & Size of j^ Sticks as they 
shall turn out when hewed, in order to be Informed what bur- 
dened Ship will answer. I hope y*^ Load will reach Portsmouth 
at farthest by Christmas, & that it will meet with y''. approbation. 
I am ^ 

Y^-. Most Obed*. Hum^'. Serv*. 



Copy 
Commiss^ of y^ N'avy 



J Ingersoll. 



Letter of the Comptroller of the Navy Board. 

Sir 

It gives me pleasure to hear of ]\P. Ingersoll. I did every 
thing in my power to assist that Gentleman when he was here, 
and shall on all occasions continue to do the same, as I am in 
great hopes by His means the Government will, not only for 
what He has now contracted for but in future, be furnishd with 
Masts on better terms than heretofore. If the Gentlemen you 
mention as M''. lugersolls Correspondents have not yet eharterd 
a Ship, and will apply to M''. Slade, Surveyor of the Xav}' at 



JAEED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1758-G4. 2^3 

the jSTavy Office, lie will iiifonn them what sort of Ship will be 
proper for the purpose. As Peace has taken place Convoy is 
certainly unnecessary, tho mentioned in the Contract. 
Sir 

Your most Obedient 

and most hum^'^. Serv*. 
G Cokburne* 
Aue-ust 19"\ 1763 



Letter to the jSTavy Board. 

N" : Haven 7 Feb. 1764 
Gent". 

After having waited Sometime, with some little impatience, 
for the arrival of a Ship to take in the Masts &c wdiich I 
have before acquainted you I had ready to transport to England, 
I have received advice from my Correspondent at London that 
a Suitable Ship was not to be had till after Christmas, and that 
Such Ship is now provided & ordered to Sail for N : London at 
about this time, so that I may not Expect the Masts can arrive 
in England much before midsummer next. 

I hope this little disappointment will not prejudice your 
affairs or mine ; my good friend M^. Jackson acquaints me that 
the Comptroller M'' Cockburne has been pleased to speak kindly 
of me & to wish me Success, for which goodness I shall think 
myself much Indebted to the Comptroller & to the board. 

I do assure you I have spared neither pains nor Expence to 
accomplish the Undertaking in such a manner as should be 
acceptable, and have only to Desire that the Board will be so 
good as not to take any Steps, unless quite necessary, that may 
prejudice my affairs or disappoint my future hopes, until my 
Arrival, as I am determined, God willing, to Come myself to 
England in the Mast Ship. I shall bring with me M'". Willis, 
one of the two Gentlemen who Undertook under me to Carry 
this Contract into Execution. He is well acquainted with ISTav- 

* This letter was probablj' addressed to Eichard Jackson, and by him 
forwarded to Mr. Ingersoll. 



IX 



264 JATJET) INGERSOLL PAPEKS, 1Y58-64. 

igation, Ship biulding- & with timber, & has a personal knowl- 
edge of the kings yards in England. This Gentleman has been 
Constantly with the work people in getting this load & can 
therefore give the Board a particular Account of the Country 
where the Sticks grew, of the practicability of getting further 
Supplies, & in Short with Every thing relating to the Mast 
Aifair in these parts, as he is a Gentleman of Strict Veracity & 
honour as well as good intelligence. I trust the board will 
think they shall receive better information from him in these 
matters than from any Vague Accounts which they may have 
from others, whose knowledge may perhaps be justly Suspected 
and as it may happen, their motives too. 

I have nothing further to add but that I shall hope for the 
honour of seeing you at the board before very long & of satis- 
fying you of my faithfull Endeavours to Serve his Majestys 
Interests, & of my being 

with great respect 

Y^ most Obed*. & most Humb\ Serv*. 

J Ingersoll. 
To the Hon^ Comm^ 

of his Majestvs Xavv. 

[Copy.] 



Affidavit of Gideox Lymax. 

GIDEO]^ LY]\rATsT* of Xorth Hampton in the County of 
Hampshire in the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, one 
of the Assistants to Benning Wentworth Esq'": Surveyor Gen- 
eral of his Majesty's Woods in !N"orth America &c: Being duly 

* Gideon Lyman was deputy surveyor of the woods in Massachusetts, 
as Daniel Blake was deputy surveyor in Connecticvit, under Benning Went- 
worth, Surveyor General, who was also Governor of New Hampshire from 
1741 to 1767. 

Ingersoll does not appear to have desired an independent vice-admiralty 
court for Connecticut, but wished to serve as deputy under the judge of 
vice-admiralty in New York, who at this time was Richard Morris, successor 
to his uncle, Lewis Morris, who died in 1762. It is doubtful if Ingersoll 
ever received the desired deputation. (Below, pp. 272, 27.5.) 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 175S-64. 265 

sworn, (leposeth & saith that he has been informed by the said 
Benning- Wentworth Esq"': that Jared Ingersoll Esq'': when in 
England made a Contract with the proper Officers of the Xavy 
for a number of Masts, Yards and Bowsprits for the use of the 
Xavy, which in the whole were to be eighty Sticks and a few 
more in case any of them should prove useless or unfit for the 
purpose for which they were designed. That he has been 
Informed that Instead of the said eighty sticks, one hundred 
and Sixty sticks and upwards are cut by the persons imployed 
by the said Jared Ingersoll to the great waste of the Kings 
woods, from which tho' he has a high opinion of IVF. Ingersoll's 
Character as an honest Man he conceives him an Improper per- 
son to set as Judge of the Vice Admiralty Court in the Colony of 
Connecticut concerning or relating to any pine Logs or Masts 
that may be seized or Libelled in the said Colony as forfeited 
for the use of his Majesty for having been cut without Licence 
therefor being first obtained. 

Gideon Lyman. 
Sworn this second day of April 1764 
Before me : Rc'^ Morris 
Copy 



Letters to Gov. Bex>:ixg Wextwortii, axd Enclosure. 

2^" Haven S^ Ap' 1764 

S'- 

I received f. favour of the 3'\ of Jan^. yesterday, & not 
before, having been from home about a month last past. 

in answer to your request I have to Inform you that, the 
Gentlemen Mes^ Talcott & Wyllys who undertook to Carry my 
Contract with the JSTavy board into Execution, always affirmed 
to me that out of the whole number of Sticks which they felled 
they have been able to get Scarcely Enough to Answer the Con- 
tract,- — that many broke Coming over the rapids, others in 
falling, that Some Lodged by y*" way k Some proved Defective 
in working — the particulars however of this matter I am not 
now able to furnish vou wnth, l)ut will Send to them immedi- 



266 JAEED INGEESOLL PAPEES, 1758-64. 

atelj, (about 40 Miles from hence) for a Circumstantial 
Account of the transaction which you may depend I will trans- 
mit to you as soon as possible. 

You may S'". rest assured that I neither have nor will Suffer 
the least Spoil of the Kings woods to be made, that lies in my 
power to prevent, & am quite willing that Every person 
Employed by me should be Scrutinized to the utmost — & here I 
beg Leave to tell you in my turn that I have through y® Course 
of y* Last Summer heard with much Concern of incredible 
havock being made in y" afores*^ woods upon the River Con- 
necticut, by great numbers of persons, & that Y^. Deputes 
Employed to Seize the timber have so Conducted as to Leave it 
worth while for these pillagers to Continue their trespasses. I 
Cannot Vouch for y*^ truth of this, but think it high time that 
this matter was thoroughly Lookt into. I shall do myself y® 
honour to write to you again, as Soon as I Can obtain y^ Acc*^ 
you ask for. In the mean time 
I Remain 

y"" mos obed^ 

Humb\ Serv\ 

J Ingersoll 
Hon\ Benning Wentworth Esq''. 
[Copy.] 



Middletown April 9*^ 1764 
Sir, 

Yours of the o"^. Instant we rec^^ wherein you Inform us 
that his Exelency Benning Wentworth y*^ Surveyor General of 
the Kings Woods hath had a Representation made to him that 
we have made wast in the Kings Woods, and that we must give 
an Account of our proceedings ; And Indeed from our first 
appearing in that part of the Country we foresaw from the 
reluctance that some of the People there Shewed, to y*" Experi- 
ments being made, that Suggestions to our Disadvantage were to 
be expected, and have experienced the same by the many low 



JARED INGEIJSOLL PAPERS, 1T58-G4. 267 

things which have boon dono, Espocially the Carrying off the 
hay. Bnt to proceed, as soon as we received the Survey our 
Generals Licence and time convenient offerd, we proceded into 
the Woods where after long Search we fell SO Trees that 
appeared to be sound, some of which broke in falling, 5 of them 
fatally, so that they were fit for no part of the Service, leaving 
84 that appeared outwardly to be sound ; in doing this we fell a 
Xumber of Defective Trees, among which was 63 Trees, not so 
Defective but that there was hope that they might Answer some 
Part of the Service and make up some of the Defects that would 
inevitably happen to those Trees that appeared Sound as well as 
the various Disasters that must happen in going down the River. 
Those 147, Trees we hailed to the River; all but one, a Tree 
intended for a oO Inch Mast Lying something further than the 
Rest, we coud not hall for want of the hay taken -away in our 
absence by Cap". Zedekiah Stone of Petersham, which would 
have lasted one team 5 or 6 Days. According to the best of our 
Judgment and such other advice as we cou'd get we were in 
great want of three or four Large Sticks, and accordingly was 
at the expence of Searching the Woods and had found Two 
large Trees fit for Masts of 35 or 36 Inches and which was 
greatly wanted to make good the places vacant and the Disasters 
which afterwards happened, but for want of hay we Could not 
hall them, & therfore we did not Cut them. When the River 
broke up we put all those Sticks into the River except two which 
broke in Roling down the Bank, and excercisd w^e may venter to 
say the most Strenuous Efforts in our Power to get them down 
the River, but in Coming down the falls in Walpole the most 
compleat Stick we had which we depended upon for a 36 Inch 
Mast broke in two pices not far from the middle; y^ other 36 
Inch Received some Damage at the top end and afterwards 
Lodged on a Rock in the middle of the River in the Rapids at 
Deerfield ; several others broke ; some galled & bruised so deep 
that it greatly diminished the Size of the Sticks. When we 
came to work them we found many of those that we deemd 
sound trees proved defective, so that of what we got downi that 
season we are o-reatlv short of the Tonus of Timber contained in 



268 JAKED IXGERSOLL PAPERS, 1758—64. 

your Contract, although we worked up every Stick & piece of a 
Stick that woud make as low as 18 Inch Mast, 24 Inch Bow 
Sprite or 17 Inch Yard. We sent Men up the River at low 
Water (viz) in September and Febuary & Rolled y'' great 
Sticks off the Rocks and all others that are to be found, and have 
Men now up the River in Order to bring them down that are 
behind, after which if we have Sucess we shall be able to give 
some more particulars — which we shall be always ready to do. 
In the Interim we remain your most obedient & Humble 
Servants. 

Sam\ Willis 
Matthew Talcott • 

P. S. We expect to work up every Stick that will Answer 
in the Kings Service as low as is contained in [illegible] Con- 
tract, or not have the Ship full, and them that are below your 
Contract we must run the Risque of there not being Receiv'\ by 
the iSTaval Board. 

M. Talcott 

To Jared Ingersoll Esq^. 

Copy [in a clerk's hand]. Original Sent Gov'. Wentworth. 



N" Haven 25 April 1764 
Sir 

agreeable to my promise in my last I now send you ]\[esl 
Talcott & Wyllys Ace*, of the trees they felled in order to fulfill 
my Contract with y* 'Nslyy Board, And, S"". 
Y^ most obed'. 

Most Humb\ Serv''. 

J Ingersoll 

P. S. if the Ace", is wanting in any particular please to 
favour me with your Commands & I will Endeavour to get the 
Defects Supplied. J. I. 

The Hon'. Benning Wentworth Esq''. 
Copy 



jaeed i]n'gersoll tapees, 1758-04, 269 

Letters of John Sloss Hobart. 

S'^ Croix Sep^ 30^\ 1761 
Sir, 

You will undoubtedly be surprised to hear from me in this 
Part of the World ; 'tis what I least expected when last I had 
the Pleasure of seeing you, but Business growing dull at Home 
& hearing much of the West Indies as a Place to make a For- 
tune in a short Time, I ventur'd out about 18 months since & 
have been trading from Island to Island ever since, tho' not 
with so much Success as I could wish, tho' I can't complain. 

At present we are all taken up with the Thoughts of an 
Attack upon Martinique, for my last Accounts from Home are 
that ]\P, Amherst has collected together a large Xumber of 
Transports, the Regulars in Garrison are releiv'd by Provincials 
& in full March for N. York ; which I look upon as favourable 
Prospects ; Lord Rollo* is already arrived with 1500 Men i: 
has taken Possession of Domineco, for which Island I intend in 
about ten Days. 

Sir, the Kindnes & Civility I have always rec"^. from your- 
self & Pamily embolden me to beg you will recommend me to 
some Post in the Customs at Martinique (should the English 
Conquer it as undoubtedly they will) or at least in Domineco. 

Had I any other Patron to apply to I would not trouble you 
on this Occasion, but my Fathers situation in Life is such that 
it don't lead him into any European Correspondence which 
could be of Service to me in that Way. I therefore apply to you 
as the only Gentleman with whom I am acquainted who has 
Interest enough to serve me in that way ; if you think me 
impertinent, beg you will impute it to the Favours I have 
already received from you, which induce me to think you would 
willingly oblige me in such a Trifle, & should it be attended 
with any Expences I will reimburse them as soon as I know 
what they are. 

I dare not attempt to discribe to you any of these Islands as 

* Ajulrew Rollo, fifth Baron Rollo (born 1700. died 170.5). captured 
Dominica in June, 1761, and in February. 1702. took part under General 
Monckton in the capture of Martinique. 



'270 JAEED IXGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 

I know myself unequal to the Task, therefore conclude by sub- 
scribing with the sincerest Respect 

Your most obedient & most hble. Serv*. 
J. S. Hobart." 
[To 
Jared Ingersol Esq^ 

Agent for the Collony of Connecticut 
In 

London] 

S'. Eustatius 9^^ 1st ITGl 
Sir 

I did myself the Honnour to write to you some time since 
from the Island of S*'\ Croix by the Way of Copenhagen, which 
I hope will arrive safe, the Purport of which Letter was to 
desire you to recomend me to some Post in one of the Con- 
quer'd Islands as I am determined to tarry some time in the 
West Indies. The great Humanity & Condesention with which 
I was formerly treated by you encourages me to hope that you 
will get a Place for me in which I may make an easy Fortune. 
Had I any Friend or Acquaintance who had Interest enough 
to serve me I would not be troublesom to you, but as I have 
none I beg you will assist me if possible, which if you don't, 
for ought I can see at present, I shall be condemned to spend my 
Days in these Islands, & I am sure no living Creature need 
envy my Situation, continually broiling from Morning till 
Xight under the very Muzzle of the Sun, & that for a bare Sub- 
sistance only, without scare a probability of ever raising 
enough to return it live at ease at Home, which is the heigth of 
my Ambition. 

We have ree'd an Account just this moment that y*" Griffin 

* John Sloss Hobart, a son of the Rev. Noah Hobart, of Fairfield, 
Connecticut, was born in 1738, graduated at Yale College in 1757, and died 
in 1805; through the year 1756 he boarded in Mr. Ingersoll's family. 
Through his mother he inherited property on Long Island, where he settled 
soon after the date of these letters. He entered public life, and filled the 
offices of Judge of the Supreme Court of the State, United States Senator, 
and Judge of the U. S. District Court. 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPEES, 1T5S-G4. 271 

Frigate Cap* Taylor was cast away two Days sine on Burbada* 
when in Chase of two French Privateers, oweing it seems to 
the Obstanacy of the Cap\ in Opposition to the Pilot, who 
gave up the Charge of the Ship. 

We are in daily Expectation of an Armament from jST. York 
to attack ]\[artinique if not stop'd by a Peace. 

When you have an Idle Hour on your Hands & can't bestow it 
any other Way beg you'll favour me with a Line. I'll not 
trouble you any longer only beg leave to subscribe 
Sir 

Your most humble 

& most obedient Serv*^. 
J. S. Hobart. 
P. S. it seems that the ace', of the Griffin was brought by some 
of her Sailors & we are not certain but they make it in order 
to justify their Desertion. 



Letters of William Livixgstox. 

^Tew York 2^/^ May 1762 
Dear Sir 

Being really concerned about the Money due to me from Mr 
Jedidiah Mills,! not only on Account of his surprizing Answer 
to one of my Letters on that Subject containing his Conjectures 
concerning the 2^ Beast mentiond in the Revelations, of which I 
acquainted you when here, but also from the Report that his 
Sons are considerably involved among our merchants, I must 
beg the favour of you, as soon after your receipt of this as pos- 
sible, to write him a line informing him that I have desired you 
to issue Process against him & all the obligors in the two Bonds 
unless they are immediately discharged. 

It is with reluctance that I am obliged to trouble the old 

* Or Barbuda, a British island anions tlie Leeward Islands, north of 
Antigna. 

t .Jedidiah Mills, born in 1697, and graduated at Yale College in 1722, 
was settled as pastor in Huntington, then part of Stratford, Connecticut, 
in 1724. and died there in 1776, leaving an estate of about £135. 



272 JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 

Gentleman, but I must work so confounded hard for three or 
four hundred Pounds, that I can not in justice to mj family 
take up with theological Conjectures in lieu of lawful money. 

I inclose you Copies of both Bonds with the several receipts 
of the payments that have been made. I suppose the Copies 
will be sufficient to lay the Action, till you are obliged to give 
Oyer & perhaps he will pay the Money without the Originals 
upon your discharge. However if you must have the originals 
you will be pleased to inform me, & I will send them as soon as 
I return from the river Circuits. 

With my Compliments to Mrs Ingersol & never forgetting Mr 
Whittelsey, I am 

Your most humble Serv* 

Wil : Livingston. 
[To 
.Tared Ingersol Esqr 
^\t 

Xew Haven 
Connecticut] 

^^ew York 28 July 1762 
D\ Sir 

I received yours of the 12"' Instant, & it would be peculiarly 
agreeable to me to have it in my powder to oblige you in the 
instance you mention, but I have not the least expectation of the 
office & can learn of no one that has made interest for it except 
M'" Dick Morris, who has not however any promise for it.* But 
whoever of my acquaintance may get it you may depend upon 
my interest to serve you in your request. 

I lately had a Letter from M"". Mills with a payment of £50 
upon which he desired me to direct you to stop proceedings, but 
as I think myself far from being secure by that payment & as 
he made the marvellous proposal of paying all his other debts 

* Mr. Ingersoll was desirous of obtaining the appointment of Deputy 
for Connecticut of the Judge of tlie Court of Admiralty for Xew York, New 
Jersey, and Connecticut. 

For his success in this object, see, also, p. 275. 



JAKED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1758-04. 273 

first, tlie better to enable him to pay mine at last, T wrote him 
that I could not restrict you in any directions I had given 
you. 

With my compliments to your Family I am 

Your most humble Serv*. 

Wil : Livingston 
[To 

Jared Ingersol Esq"" 
at 

^ew Haven 

Connecticut] 

:N"ew York, 19. Oc^ 1762. 
Dear Sir : 

I receivM yours of the 12th Instant, and am greatly obligVl 
to ]VF. Mills for his opinion of my being so Ingenious a Gen- 
tleman as you are pleased to mention. But as I think that 
the Ingenuity of a man with nine Children ought to resemble 
what we are told of Charity, that it begins at home, I know of 
no other way to deserve M"^. Mills's Compliments than by shew- 
ing my Ingenuity in being so Ing-enious as to use the Ingenuity 
of the Law in disappointing his Ingenuity which seems to con- 
sist in the most ingenious Contrivances to keep me out of the 
money in Perpetuity. You will therefore be pleased (instead 
of listning to so evil a Genius as proposeth a Security that shall 
only be liable on the happening of certain contingencies that 
may non plus the brightest Genius to produce proper Proofs of 
their having happened, that is a responsible Security which may 
never be responsible") Ingeniously to exert the utmost Efforts of 
^'our Ingenuity in applying the true Genius of the Law which 
abominates all such cunctatory & procrastinating Genius's as my 
Reverend Eriend seems to be inspired w^ith. I am, 
Dr Sir : 

Mr Mills's hitherto-most ingeniously disappointed 
& your most affectionate & humble Ser*. 
Wil : Livingston. 

P. S. — The spending an Evening at your fire side with my 



274 JARED Hn^GERSOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 

good friend M"" Whittelsej, & each of our Ribs* woii'd really 
aifect me with such singular pleasure as neither M''. Mills's nor 
mv Ingenuity is capable of exj)ressing. 
[To 

Jared Ingersol Esq^" 
In 

I*^ew Haven] 



Letter of Benjamin Franklin. 

Philad^ Dec. 11, 1762 
Dear Sir, 

I thank you for your kind Congratulations. f It gives me 
Pleasure to hear from an old Friend, it will give me much more 
to see him. I hope therefore nothing will prevent the Journey 
you propose for next Summer, & the Favour you intend me of a 
Visit. I believe I must make a Journey early in the Spring 
to Virginia, but purpose being back again before the hot 
Weather. You will be kind enough to let me know beforehand 
what time you expect to be here, that I may not be out of the 
way ; for that would mortify me exceedingly. 

I should be glad to know what it is that distinguishes Con- 
necticut Religion from common Religion : — Communicate, if 
you please, some of those particulars that you think will amuse 
me as a Virtuoso. When I travell'd in Flanders I thought of 
your excessively strict Observation of Sunday ; and that a Man 
could hardly travel on that day among you upon his lawful 
Occasions, without Hazard of Punishment ; while where I was, 
every one travell'd, if he pleas'd, or diverted himself in any 
other way ; and in the Afternoon both high & low went to the 
Play or the Opera, where there was plenty of Singing, Fid- 
dling & Dancing. I look'd round for God's Judgments but saw 
no Signs of them. The Cities were well built & full of In- 
habitants, the Markets fill'd with Plenty, the People well 

* C'liauncey Whittelsey (Yale College 1738) was now a merchant in Xew 
Haven, and his wife and Mr. IngersoU's were sisters. 

t On Franklin's return from England, where he had been since 1757. 

This letter has already been printed, in Bigelow's Works of Franklin, 1888, 
and Smyth's Writi7igs of Franklin, 1906; but is here copied directly from 
the original. 



JARED INGERSOLT. TAPERS, 1758-64. 275 

favmir\l <ic well clothed; the Fields well till'd; the Cattle 
fat & strong; the Fences, Houses and Windows all in Repair; 
and no Old Tenor anywhere in the Conntry; which would 
almost make one suspect, that the Deity is not so angry at that 
Offence as a ISTew England Justice. 

I left our Friend Mr. Jackson well. And I had the great 
Happiness of finding my little Family well when I came home ; 
and my Friends as cordial & more numerous than ever. May 
every Prosperity attend you & yours. I am. Dear Friend, 

Yours affectionately, 

B. Franklin. 



Letter of Judge Richard Morris. 

ITew YorkDec^ 23'': 1762 
Sir, 

I was honoured with your favour of the 17*'\ Instant this 
Morning ; I had it not in my power to Answer M^" Livingston on 
his first Application, as I then only had an App*. for this 
province. Since which I have Rec'^ Advice from my friend of a 
Warrant being made out to the Judge of the High Court of 
Admiralty to make out a Commission to me for the three 
provinces, and wdien that Comes to hand I shall be under the 
Necessity of going as f arr as IS'orwalk to Notifie the Governor of 
it and to publish it. I shall Endeavour to give you notice of it 
and shall be glad to meet yon there, when I shall be proud to 
Appoint you as my Deputy for your Colony ; this I told M'' 
Livingston who I am Obliged to for notifying you of it. Am 
Greatly Obliged to you for yonr kind Invitation and shall with 
pleasure Embrace it if I travell your Way. I am 

Sir ' 

Your Verry Hum^' Serv* 

Ri"^. :\Iorris.* 
[Jared Ingersoll Esq'' 
att 

New Haven] 

* T^icliard ^Monis. born 1730. died LSIO. received a degree from Yale 
in the Class of 1748. On August 2, 1762, he was commissioned as Judge of 
the Court of Admiralty for New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. 



276 JAKED IXGEESOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 



Killingworth Aug* 9*^ 1762 



Letter of Dr. Benjami^st Gale 

I receiv'd vour Fav^ & note j^ Contents. I am apt to think 
y^ Sentiments are very Jnst. With regard to y'' Request from 
me, I have laid by y® Weapons of my Warfare it is true, but not 
untill I obtain'd what I aim'd at. Viz to Convince the World 
that the President was an Assuming, Arbitrary, Designing 
Man; who under a Cloak of Zeal for Orthodoxy, design'd to 
govern both Church & State, & Damn all who would not worship 
y® Beast. I begun the Controversey when it was disreputable, 
to oppose one, esteem'd a Man of God. I was Alone ; them 
who wishM me well, dare not appear for me, but I was not 
thereby Intimidated. I have been Call'd all y*^ Mean, Lying, 
Vilinous Rascals, by y*^ Clergy, &: their Dupes, that Religious 
Bigotry could suggest, But S'^ I am alive, & I thank God I 
l)elieve can be rely'd on further by y* Better Sort of this Gover^ 
than the President & his Party with all their religious Chi- 
canery. 

if You now Undertake y® Cause, you will engage at a time 
when it is reputable, & I wish you good success. As for mate- 
rials I have now none. You if you will read my three last pam- 
phlets will there find some stubborn Facts. I think it a very 
great Crime for him to draw mony out of j^ Pocketts of Parents, 
by seducing Minors to Subscriptions for Air Pumps, Clocks, 
Pendelums &c. I do not know had you not Lead my good Father 
into a mistake with regard to y® Last Corporation Meeting you 
might have Improv'd that to good purpose. Indeed I do not 
know but it may Still ; it was no Corporation meeting, nor they 
could not make it a meeting at that time, if there was one Dis- 
senter. Our Charter Enables j'^ Gove"" to Call together, or in his 
Abscence y" Deputy Gov'", the General Assembly ; whenever y^ 
GoV Adjourns y'' Assembly Sine Die it is in fact a Dessolution, 
& we are adjourn'd in these words (till the Gov'" or in his 
Abscence y® Dep^ Gov'" sees fitt &c) placing y'' Power of CalF y* 
Assembly, where the Charter has fixVl it. y*" College Charter 
tolls how a Corporation meeting is to be call'd, viz by y'' Presi- 



JAKED IXCiEKSOLL PAPERS, 1758-04. 277 

dent «S: two Fellows. K"ow the President, that he might be like 
the Gods of the J^ations that are round about him, had y^ 
Meeting adjourned sine Die till y^ President should see fitt &c. 
IsTow S' the Corporation by vote could not place y*' Power of 
CalP where y" Charter had not PlacVl it. I ask Pardon for 
Assunr' y^' Province or rather Invading- it. The Bearer Waits. 
I am Sincerely S^' 

Your Hum\ Serv* 

Benj'^ Gale.* 
[To 

Jared Ingersol Esq"" 

IsT Haven] 



Lettep of Thomas Bridges. 

Hedley Sepf: 30'^: 1762 
Dear Sir. 

I have received your favours of the 23'^ of June last, which 

gave both me & IP": Bridges great Pleasure, to find that you 

were safely arrived at New Haven in Perfect Health, & have 

the Satisfaction of Enjoying the Company of Your Lady & son, 

from whome you have been so long absent, the joy of which none 

can be sensible off, but those that have experienced a long sep- 

eration from those that are most dear to them. I do Assure 

you M'": Bridges & myself take it exceedingly Kind your 

remembring of us so soon, & that you are so good as to think 

* Benjamin Gale (born 1715, died 1790), after graduation at Yale in 
1733. studied medicine with the Rev. Jared Eliot, of Killingworth, a mem- 
ber of the Yale corporation, settled there in practice, and married Dr. 
Eliofs daughter. 

He was a Deputy to the General Assembly of the Colony for many years; 
and between 1755 and 1760 printed several bitter attacks on President Clap 
of Y'ale College, whose attitude towards the formation of Separate con- 
gregations (like the White Haven Society in Xew Haven, and the Church 
in Yale College) was unwelcome to both Mr. Ingersoll and Dr. Gale. 

Dr. Gale was a man of intense prejudices and violent partisanship. 
Though at first highly critical of the revolutionary attitude of the patriots 
in Eastern Connecticut, he ultimately gave a hearty support to the new 
government. 



278 JAREl) IXGEESOLL PAPERS, 1758— G4. 

any of oiir Civilities worth your Calling to mind, which were no 
more than the Pleasure we had in your company doubly repaid 
us for ; indeed this summer we have greatly missed you, tho we 
have often talk'd over the many agreable hours we have Passed 
together, & particularly the little debates you & ]\I''': Bridges 
had concerning your Prefering ISTorth America to Old England, 
& she is in hopes she shall some time or other see jon and M''^ : 
Ingersoll come over & settle in Old England, notwithstanding 
you now seem to Prefer I^ewhaven to all the rest of the world. 
I conclude long before you receive this, you will have heard that 
M'^: Franklin the Elder, is returned to Philadelphia, without his 
son ;* he left England about the latter end of July, & a few days 
after he was gone, the Young Gentleman took unto him a Wife, 
I will not leave you Guess who, for You cannot suppose it to be 
any other than his Old Flame in S*: James's Street; we think 
the Lady has great luck on her side, to get a Smart Young fel- 
low for her Husband, & the Honour of being a Governor's Lady, 
for I suppose it will be no news to you to Acquaint you that he 
is made Governor of ^ew Jersey. I hear there was some diffi- 
culty in his being Confirmed in his place, for in our Con- 
siencious Age, many Scruples were raised on account of his 
being Illegitimate, which we were Strangers to till very lately. 
I hear the Old Gentleman intends soon to bring over his Lady & 
Daughter to spend the remainder of their days in England ; My 
Brother (who is now in JSTorfolk with my Father & Sister who 
are all well) I take for Granted you often hear from, so shall 
say no more of him, than y* ; he «& the rest of the family will be 
in Town about the 20*^^ of October, about which time shall also be 
in Town for a few days, & then proceed to Bath, not for my own 
health, (which, thank God, has been better than Usual this sum- 
mer, & I had the gout more favourably last winter, than for some 
Years Past,) but for IP": Bridges's, who has been far from well, 
for above this Year past. She has consulted several Physicians 
who all advise the Bath ; we are therefore determined to Try it, 
& am in great hopes it will be of Service to her. 

* Governor William Franklin, son of Benjamin Franklin, wa;? born in 
Philadelphia in 1729. and married Miss Elizabeth Downes, a West Indian 
lady, then residing in St. .James Street, London, on September 5, 1762. 



JAKED lA^GEKSOLL PAPERS, 1758-04. 279 

I must now congratulate you on the approaching Peace, 
which hope is not far off, & believe it would have been Settled 
before this time, had not all parties been desirous of first know- 
ing the fate of the Havannah, the news of the taking of which 
arrived hear l)ut last week; the Spaniards made a most noble 
defence, <fc our Arnij' had made no Breach till the 29*^ day of 
July about two o'clock, when they sprung a mine which made 
one sufficient for a file of men to go abreast in ; they immedi- 
ately storm'd the Fort sword in hand & carried it, the Town 
surrendered by Capitulation Eleven days after ; it is a most 
Glorious acquisition, <fc I hope it will be the means of our mak- 
ing an advantagious k lasting peace, tho some People are of 
Opinion it will not hasten one, as they suppose we shall require 
better Terms. The Duke of Bedford has been at Parris & the 
Ihike de Xevernois at London for near this month past, about 
the salutary work, & I believe the Chief obsticle was on the Part 
of Spain, who believe never thought of our Succeeding at the 
Havannah. I assure you it gave me great peasure to hear of 
the wellfare of my Grey Horse. I hope his Colts w^ill turn out 
to your satisfaction & the Gentlemen of the Country, & that he 
will mend your Breed ; he was always a great favourit of mine, 
(fc a most excellent Servant, for he carried me very safely a 
Hunting for Seven Years. I should be Obliged to you to send 
me a few large Ears of Indian Corn, as I want to sow a little in 
my Garden by way of Tryal, but if it is attended with the least 
inconvenience beg you will not give yourself any Trouble about 
it. If M''^: Bridges or I can be of any Service in Buying or 
Procuring you, or M'^^ : Ingersoll, any thing you may want here, 
beg you will command us ; we Both join in Compliments & best 
wishes of Health &: Happiness to yourself, &• Lady tho unknown, 
& am 

Dear Sir 

Your Most Sincere Friend 

& Obedient Hble Servant 

Tho^: Bridges.* 

* Thomas Bridges, died 1768, was a brother of Sir Brook Bridges, 
Baronet, of Goodneston, Kent, who was a ^Member of Parliament at this 
date: and a brother-in-law of Richard Jackson, Mr. Ingersoll's intimate 
friend. 



280 JARED INGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 

P : S : when von are not better employed 

I shall always Esteem it a favour to 
hear from yon. 

Hedley Oetr: 7th: 176:3. 

[To Jerrard Ing-ersoll Esq'': 
at ISTew Haven 
In the Province of Connecticnt 
in 

I^orth America 
By the ^ew York 
Packet.] 



Letter or Gov. William Franklin. 

Perth Amboy, Jnly 22, 1763 
Dear Sir 

Yonr obliging- Favonr of the 7"\ of April, I had not the 
Pleasnre of receiving till a few Days ago. Where it could 
have been detained so long a Time I cannot conceive, unless it 
was sent to Burlingion after my leaving it, & there kept in 
Expectation of my Return, Avhich I intended upward of Six 
Weeks ago. 

I should have been extremely glad to have seen my old 
Acquaintance Col. Whiting, by wdiom you mention your Letter 
to be sent, but I never heard of his being in Jersey. 

If you should come to this Province, as you give me Reason 
to hope you may some time this Summer, it will afford me par- 
ticular Pleasure to see you at Burlington, where I propose to 
reside. 

M""". Franklin joins me in best Compliments to you, Avith 
many thanks for your kind Congratulations. 

I am, with great Regard, Sir, Your most humble Servant 

W"\ Franklin. 
To J. Ingersall Esq'' 



jared ingersot.l parers, 1758-04. 281 

Letters of Joseph Chew. 
Dear Sir 

I thank you for your Letter by Cap*. Miller. Your Behav- 
iour at Hartford has answered my Expectations. I have on all 
occasions asserted you were two Honnest and had two great a 
regard for truth then to say one thing and mean another — in 
short that you would not Cringe, Twist and Turn Twenty ways 
to get into any post the Colony had to give. I wish all I know 
had the same noble Spirit ; we should have Less Confussion 
then I think is Coming Fast upon us. I shall write you a Long 
Letter by Xext Post. I find our Friend CoP Dyer determind 
to Pursue the affair of Susquehanna.* I don't Expect to 
suceed, but will use Every argument I can to induce him to 
drop the thing as honnourably as he can — for I see no kind of 
Prospect he has of Coming of with Credit any other way ; he 
writes me he is soon to set out for PhiP. to Conver with M"". 
Franklin, but I suspect I shall at Least diswade him from that, 
as I think he must know M'^ Franklin will on no Terms interfer 
in any matter disagreable to the Ministry — this it is Reason- 
able to immagine. I am 

s'- 

Your Affectionate 
Jos Chewf 

*Eliphalet Dyer (born 1721. died 1807) was graduated at Yale in 1740. 
and became a law^-er in his native town of Windham, Connecticut. 

He was one of the leading promoters of the Susquehanna Company, 
formed in 1754 for the development of colonization in the Wyoming region 
in Pennsylvania, under the title of the Connecticut charter as fortified by 
a questionable treaty with the Indians. He went to England in 1764 in 
one of Mark Hunting Wentworth's mast sliips to promote this business. 

In 1765 he sympathized actively witli the radical movement, centred 
at Windham, and was a delegate to the Stamp- Act Congress in New Yoric; 
as a member of the Governor's Council he refused to remain in the Council 
chamber while the oath to observe the Stamp Act was administered to 
Governor Fitcli. 

t Joseph Chew was born in Spotsylvania County, Va., in 1720, but settled 
in Xew London, Connecticut, as a merchant before 1750, and held the 
position of Assistant to the Collector of the Port. In 1752 he acted as 
Marshal of the Vice-Admiralty Court hekl in New London to act on the 
Spanish Ship case, and took a prominent part in tliat affair. 

At the time of the Kevolution he sided witli the British government. 



v^ 



282 JAEED IXGEESOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 

Xew London | 

June 8. 1763 ) 
[To 

Jared Ingersoll Esq'' 
at 

Xew Haven] 

Dear Sir 

I Kec*^. yonr Letter by the post & shall forward that to Col" 
Dver, who I am very sorry to find so much Engaged in pur- 
suing the Susquehanna affair. I find my name is mentioned in 
PhiP Sz other places as a person who is much interested and has 
the success of the Company greatly at heart. ISTow God knows I 
only came into it out of a mere Banter, supposing it was to. cost 
me about five or six Dollars only, & tho I found the Expence 
much more I did not trouble my self, as you and many 
others who I new to be good Compan}- were engaged, k I 
expected we should have some Little Deversion for our Money. 
Since I was at S^ W"^ Johnsons, I think I must discover great 
want of Capacity to Entertain a thought of our Ever obtaining 
a Grant of those Lands By Virtue of the Indian Purchaise — ■ 
and you know what Pretentions our West Sea Charter can give 
us. I have a very gTcat Respect for Col° Dyer and would go 
very great Lengths to serve him, but at the same time think I 
should be much to Blame if I did not tell him my Real Senti- 
ments, for which Reason I Last week wrote him a Letter, a Copy 
of which I now inclose to you, and Immagine it has quite 
Destroyed any Favourable opinion that infatuated Company 
might have Entertaind of me. You'l not mention the affair of 
this Letter to -any one. The Company Depend nmch on ]\F 
Franklins Friendship and the Interest that I- have with him to 
Introduce them. Was Ever any thing so Rediculous ? supposing 
]\P Franklin had as much Friendship for me as one person Could 
have for another, is it Reasonable to think he would Carry it to 
such a Leng-th as to Engage and Interest himself in an Affair of 
this kind at my desire? I rather think he Avould believe me for- 
ward & impertinent for giving him any trouble of the kind ; & 



JAKED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1758-04. 283 

tliat he may Immagine at Present, for what I know, as I am 
informed my name has been mentioned to him as a very warm 
Advocate for the Company, I daresay you'l agree wdth me 
that he has two mnch good sense and sound judgment to Con- 
cern himself with a matter of this kind, Provided other Reasons 
did not weigh witJi him. I Expect him this way soon and if I 
Can have notice when he is at New Haven propose to meet him 
there, wdien hope may have the Pleasure of half an hours Chat 
wnth you. 

Every thing I hear from the Late Assembly Convinces me 
that the Peligious Junto or those who assume that Carracter 
will throw this Colony into the greatest Confusion,* You Can- 
not immgine what pains this Party take and how their Dici- 
ples and Emissarys are dispersed thro' the Government, As I 
dare say you will be tired of this Epistle. ... I am 
Dear Sir 

Your most obed' serv* 
Jos Chew 
I^ew London, June 1T"\ 1763 

Jared Ingersoll Esq"^ 

[Enclosure in the last letter.] 

Yesterday I Rece'^ a Letter from ]\F Eranklin who is now on 
his journey this way, but as he will make some stay in jSTew 
York "tis uncertain whether he will be here before the last of the 
month. When he Comes I shall advise you of it and as he will 
stay some days theres no doubt but you wall have an opportunity 
of seeing him. I have seen the speech delivered by the Deputys 
of the Six Nations and the Governors Answer, both Printed and 
much to the Purpose. I assure you I begin to Entertain a very 
Poor opinion of the Success of the Susquehanna Company, and 

* At the May Session of the General Assembly of the Colony, Mr. Inger- 
soll had appeared as senior counsel of certain gentlemen who presented a 
Memorial, asking for a Committee of Visitation for Yale College, on tlie 
ground of a general discontent with the administration of President Clap. 



v^ 



284- .TAKED IXGERSOT.L TAPERS, 1758—64. 

by what I can gather from Persons of the first Carraeter the 
very mention of it is odions to the Crown & ^Ministry, and I 
believe those who Exert themselves most will not only gain the 
Displeasure of the great on the other side the water, bnt of many 
in Power in the Colonys. My Situation in Life is such that I 
think it my duty to stear Clear of any thing that may tend to 
that Purpose — for tho' I am not immediately appointed l\v the 
Crown to the small Posts I in joy, I Receive them from Persons 
who will by no means incourage any one who would lie trouble- 
some. Since this Speech of the Indians I have had an Oppor- 
tunity of seeing many Gentlemen, no ways Concerned, who all 
say that it appears to them the Purchaise if Ever made was a 
very unfair one, that if it had been made Ever so fairly »Sc the 
Indians were sick of the Bargain the Crown would be in favour 
of them, that theres not Even a Prospect of its Ever being 
Granted by the Crown, and in short that one word from Sir W™ 
Johnson, whose duty it is to set the matter in the most Clear 
Light, will have more weight with the King, Privy Council and 
Parliament then the oaths of ten thousand such unknown Wit- 
nesses as we have to the Deed obtained by Lydius.* My best 
friends at X York are of opinion I should by no means inter- 
medle about this affair unless with a View to discourage it, and 
as I most sincerely interest myself in Every thing which Con- 
cerns you I wish from my heart you was fairly clear of the mat- 
ter. Indeed if you are well paid I should prefer your Vissiting 
England at the Companys Expence before any other Person — 
but am fearfull when they find their Golden Dreams Vanish, as 
they surely will, they may, as they are Composed of the same 
unsteady materials of the Rest of Mankind, throw all the 
Blame on you and Charge you with Countinancing and Incour- 
aging them in this Pursuit. Believe me, my Dear Sir, these 
Reasons are the Result of the Best advice I could get from those 
friends who I am in a great measure dependant upon, and my 

* Sir William Johnson was widely recognized as the leading representa- 
tive of the British government in negotiations with the Indians: while 
John Henry Lydius, on whose treaty obtained from a few inferior natives 
Connecticut relied, was a man of unreliable character. 



JAKED INGEESOLI. rAPERS, 1758-04, 285 

own serious Reflections. However as T expect to see yon soon 
will then talk the matter over Letter than it Can he wrote. 

I am ttc 
X London Jnne 9*'^ 1763 
A Copy of a Letter sent to Col° Dyer 

Dear Sir 

I have been so much from home that I have not had time to 
send you the Lists of Shipping &c, but will by the Xext Post. 
Cor Dyer Leaves Windam ISText Monday for Portsmouth, there 
to embark on Board a Mast Ship for London — in order to 
obtain a Charter for the Susquehanna Country in which S'' W™ 
Johnson and you are not to have any Share — at Least I 
immagine so ; from the Present very great disputes and unset- 
tled State of the Ministry as well as the Indian Disputes believe 
he had better have waited a Little Longer. 

Pray give me your opinion of the Court and tell me what 
your friend M'' Jackson says, whose opinion & sentiments I 
depend much upon, and you may be sure not one word shall 
transpire from me. Make M^^ Chews & my Respects acceptable 
to good M^ Ingersoll. Accept the same from 
Dear Sir 

Your Affect. 

Jos Chew 
Xew London July 27*^ 1763 

Yours of the 19*'' has been Carryed to JST port in that mail & 
only this moment Come to hand. The hott weather occasion'd 
M^ Franklin's going by watter to J^ port. There I saw him and 
he thinks as you and I do of Susquehanna &-c. <S:c. CoP Dyer 
says he is sure of his firm Friendship &c. in that affair. The 
CoP has said that the Deputies at Hartford from the Six 
nations &c are in his opinion no more than Vagabond Mohawks, " 

* For the visit of the Mohawk Deputies to Hartford in May, 1763, see 
Stone's Life of Sir W. Johnson, v. 2, pp. 18.5-89. 



286 JAKED lA^GERSOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 

who S'' W°^ Johnston liired or sent to deliver that Speech in 
order to intimadate & Prevent the Settlement. I was very free 
with him and assured him I would write to S^ W^. and acquaint 
him of the Report. As only Col° Fitch* & a few friends were 
Present I would not Choose for Col° Dyers sake it should be 
mentioned, but I will give you the whole history Next Post. 

Yrs 

Jos Chew. 
[To 

Jared Ingersoll Escf 
at 

New Haven] 

New London Aug*. 10"^ 1763 
Dear Sir 

Col°. Dyer is gone for Boston and is there to take his Pas- 
sage to London, and is quite sure of Returning with a Charter 
or Charters for the Greatest Part if not all the Lands to the 
West Sea's. The Col°. told me he saw ]\P. Franklin who was 
Extreemly friendly and very much approved of the Settlement, 
l^pon inquiry I find the Col°. met with ]\P. Franklin at Green- 
wich, where the Latter was Confined with a hurt occasioned by 
a Fall from his Chair. They were only about two hours 
together and never saw Each other before, but this was time 
Eno' to discover that Gent^^ Sentiments — who you know is 
not apt to Comunicate them very soon. This I know, IP 
Franklin told me it was uncertain whether he saw Col°. Dyer 
or not, and desired me to let him know his Errant would be to 
no Purpose unless the Indians were Really willing for the Set- 
tlement, and more that the ministry would Expect to Receive an 
Aec°. of their being willing from S^ W" Johnson, the Person 
they imployed here in matters Relating to Indians — that if we 
Expected a Governm*. and to obtain a Charter we should be 

* Eleazer Fitch (born 1726, died 1796), of Windham, a graduate of 
Yale in 1743, a year after Mr. Ingersoll. 



JAEED IIS7GEKSOLL PAPERS, 1758-G4. 287 

disapointed — that our Claiming all the Lands to tlie West Seas 
was Idle and Ridiculous — that no Person could pretend to 
think it Consistant w''\ Common Sence to have a Governm* 00 
miles wide & 3000 miles Long — and many things of the kind. 
I am Surprized when I think of the strange Bustle this affair 
has made and at the Little Reason there is ever to expect any 
thing from it. CoP. Dyer does not doubt of having the Land 
tScc. The Post waits ; pray give M"^ Chews and my very sincere 
Respect to good M''^ Ingersoll. Accept the same from IT S''. 
Your Aifect. Obed* Serv' 
Jos Chew. 



Letters of Col. Eliphalet Dyer. 

London ^ov' S'^ 1763 
Dear S"" 

Ariv*^ at this place after about Seven Weeks passage. It is 
now near four weeks since my Arival. Have had my health 
very well ever since have been in London. I find IP Jackson* 
Vastly friendly and agreable and as yet have acquainted only 
him with my affairs. He advises not to be Sudden in my 
Applications, as it is very uncertain at present who will be the 
persons in Power after y® Sitting of the Parliament, which 
will be y*^ IS*'^ Instant, as the present Ministry are not Suposd 
to be permanent. ]\P Jackson Informs me the Ship for Kew 
London to take in your Masts will saile from hence In January 
next. I should much rejoice to see you here, which shall i/ 
Expect in that Ship if not before. Llave nothing of Xews of 
Consequence to write you at present ; this is only Just to let you 
know of my Arival and that I am in good Comfortable Spirits. 
Have taken very agreable handsome Lodgings at the JTpper End 

* Richard Jackson was the London Agent of the Colony of Connecticut 
from 1760 to 1771. Yale College conferred on him the honorary degree 
of Doctor of Laws in 1773. 



288 JAKEl) INGEESOLL PAPERS, 1758—64. 

of Lancaster Court* near S*^ Martins Chiircli, first ^tair, con- 
sisting of a large Dining room, bed Chamber & dressing room, all 
jSTeatly furnish'^., and Enjoye my self as well as can be expected 
considering Absence from my Dear family and friends. You 
will not forget to write me by y® York Packets as was stipulated. 
Youll excuse my brevity as have many Letters to write & y^ 
Ship very soon to sail. Remember me with proper regards to 
particular Friends & Enquirers. My respects to M^'^ Ingersol 
and believe me S'' Y^. 

Very W SeiV 

Elipht Dyer. 
To Jared Ingersol Esq'". 

London l^*'' April 1764 

I reciev*^ yours of y® 27"^ of February yesterday, and as I 
know you while here often had the pleasing Sensation that 
arises on the receipt of a kind letter from a friend or an 
Acquaintance from your IsTative Country, it is Keedless to 
Inform you with what pleasure I reciev*^ yours. What I wrote 
you before am very uncertain as it was in Utmost hast & took 
no Copy thereof, but it being soon after my arrival every thing 
here was then new, which 'Now in y*^ Course of six months 
seems very familiar. I have since frequently attended all the 
Courts att Westminster, Viz. Chancery, B : R : C : Bf Court of 
Exchequer and especially when any Cause of Consequence has 
been depending, M'' Wilkes' among y*" rest, fm jSTine of \^ Clock 
in y® morning till 12 at ^NTight, an account of which you have 
doubtless had in y*^ publick papers. Also was in House of 
Lords at y*^ opening the Parliament, heard the King Deliver 
his Speech, & have been there sundry times since ; have fre- 
quently attended the House of Commons & have often heard 
their best Speakers on affairs of Consequence, & have Especially 

* A short street running north from the Strand, a few doors to the left 
from Cliaring Cross. 

t Bancus Regis, King's Bench : Common Bench, or Common Pleas. 



JAEED liN^GERSOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 289 

attended there when the affairs that Concern*^ the Colonys were 
nnder Consideration, tho on those arose no great debate as they 
seem*^ ahnost universally agreed to whatever was propos**. by M"^ 
Greenville to lay upon them, the particulars of which have lately 
wrote Gov^" Fitch, as also a Copy of the Resolves therein, as also 
to sundry others, the particulars of which doubt not but you 
will have before this comes to hand. As to the King & Queen 
have very often seen them, as I make a point of it allmost every 
Week to make my appearence att Court att S*^ James^ Was att 
y® Ball one of y® most Brilliant after y® Xuptials of y® Prince of 
Brunswick & Princess Augusta, present King, Queen, y® 
Royal family, l^obility, Gentry &c; «S: so in General at Court 
once a Week, att Church once a Week, at play near as often. 
I have seen often both Commedys & Tragedies, Operas, Ora- 
torios, Burlettas, Balls & Ridottoes*, & lately at Renelaugh, & 
expect soon at Vauxhall &c «Sz:c as beside giving my Principall 
Attention to y® affair I come upon, as also when have an oppor- 
tunity to say a word or two in favour of y* Colonys, especially 
that to which I belong, I make it my Indeavour to see & hear 
whatever seems of any Consequence to a Stranger. Have been 
at Bristol & Bath; expect next week with Gen^^ Lyman, M' 
Trumblef &c &c, an agreable party, to take a Trip to ISTew 
Market, Cambridge &c; but to descend into Particulars would 
be Tedious. M'^ Jackson has been Vastly kind, complaisant, 
friendly, & agreable, and for whom I have the highest Value & 
Esteem, & indeed Esteem him of more Consequence than all y® 
other Agents for y® Continent, as according to my present 
apprehension he appears not only most knowing, but heartily 
Engag^. for the Interest of the Colonies, tho by the way you are 
sensible he is in the Interest of the present Ministry, & as such , 
believe by his Influence y^ propos^ Stamp duty is at present 
postponed. Dear S'" it would give me singular pleasure to see 
you here, before my return, as also my Dear friend Sam'^ 

* Ridotto, an assembly or entertainment^ with music and dancing. 

t Phineas Lyman (Yale 1738) had recently gone to England to apply 
for a tract of land for the settlement of the officers and soldiers in the 
late war. Joseph, son of Governor Trumbull, was then in England. 

10 



290 JARED IXGEESOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 

Jolinson.* Indeed it would Induce me to tarry here some 
months rather than to miss the opportunity, tho if 3'ou tarry for 
your Mast Ship you will not be here before late i^ext fall, as she 
is not yet gone from y® Downs. As I came over in the Mast 
Ship I gain'd Considerable Intelligence of what might be 
Expected to hinder Success in your Scheme & plan about the 
Mast affair, & very soon acquainted M'' Jackson therewith, of 
which I suppose he has long Since wrote you ; Avas in hopes 
you would not have waited for the arrival of your Mast Ship 
before you had Set out for England, if you had a design still to 
prosecute that affair, for I have y® greatest reason to believe 
that M'^ Hennikaf & others in Contract with M^ "Wentworth are 
Determind to break all your measures & frustrate your designs, 
as they have allready Indeavourd to propagate an Opinion that 
the Masts you have got & prepard to send here are good for 
i^Tothing for that purpose, & will not half pay y*^ freight, and 
doubt not they will Indeavour to procure the Inspecters here, 
who are much under their influence, even to say the same when 
they arrive, let them be ever so good ; this I mention that you 
may be Sufficiently guarded against all those Vile Attempts &c. 
You mention that the Guard Le Coastal sent Alarm the 
Trading port &c; it is but the beginning of Troubles, as it 
seems determined to fix upon us a large ISTumber of regiilar 

* "Samuel Johnson," familiarly so called, was the Hon. William Samuel 
Johnson (Yale Coll. 1744), of Stratford. 

t John Henniker was a merchant of London and a member of parliament 
for Sudbury, Suffolk, 1761-1768, and Dover, 1774-1784. He was interested 
in the American trade and served as a sub-contractor for masts under the 
royal mast contractor, Mark Hunting Wentworth, brother of Governor 
Benning Wentworth and father of Governor John Wentworth of New 
Hampshire. With his father-in-law and business partner, John Major 
(afterwards Sir John), he was engaged in supplying provisions for the 
British troops in America and with Governor John Wentworth was inter- 
ested in obtaining land grants in Nova Scotia. His intimacy with Governor 
Wentworth appears from the fact that the latter, from motives of personal 
friendship, caused the town of Henniker, New Hampshire, to be named 
for him, at the time of its incorporation, November 10, 1768. Henniker 
became a baronet in 1781, and in 1800 was created Baron Henniker of 
Stratford upon Slaney, County Wicklow. He died in 1803 at the age of 78. 
$A Spanish vessel sent to prevent smuggling. 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 291 

Troops under pretence for our Defence ; but rather designd as a 
rod c^' Check over us, & arc determind to raise a fund in x\merica 
for their Support, at first by dutys on Trade as being y° least 
alarming, a Stamp duty propos'd but for y® present postpon'd, 
a direct & possitive tax is not Scrupled & believe will be soon 
attempted, ir Grenville* strongly urg'd not only the power 
but right of Parliament to tax y^ Colonys, & hop'd in Gods 
iN'ame as his Expression was that none would dare dispute their 
Sovereignty; but much has been said here by Agents & others 
from y* Continent, but to but very little purpose, & fear all the 
United Indeavours of y* Colonys will not Avert the Impending 
blow. 

How far on my return I may be helpful (as you hint) in Law 
affairs &c is very uncertain, as I cannot bare the thought at 
present of going into that Slavish practice again on my return, 
but if can find any other way to live, rather retire with my wife 
& children & in some rural way spend y^ remainder of my days, 
tho' if we could find out an easier way of Practice similar to 
y* Counsellors here and a little more gainfull, might possibly 
be Induced further to pursue the business. Have very lately 
wrote my Priend IVP Johnson, but my sincere regards to him & 
to ]\P and M" Darling, ]\P Whiting &c. Remember me to y® 
Brethren when you meet togeather. Regards to all enquiring 
friends. ]\Iy respects to ]\P^ Ingersol and believe me S' with 

utmost Sincerity 

Your Obed* & Very W Serv* 

Eliph* Dyer. 

P. S. As to the Susqh & Delaware affairs I am here upon, 
have nothing Special to write you but must referr you for 
Information to the Com**'® to whom have often wrote, tho' in 
general can say the affair here is not lookd upon or Treated in 
that despicable manner as by Some was pretended would be. 

You mention in yours that those Settlers on Susqh are partly 
killd & partly Captivated, tho understand by Other letters not 

* [Note by Mr. Dyer.] Mr Grenville is Chancellor of the Exchequer, 
first Lord of ye Treasury. 



292 JAEED IZ^GEKSOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 

by j^ neighbouring Indians but by some more remote ; but I am 
Sorry for their misfortune but understand it sav'd the Govern- 
ment the Trouble of driving them off. Am your &c 

E Dyer. 

Jared Ingersol Esq'" 



Letter of Thomas Whately. 

Dear Sir, 

I am ashamed to see a Letter from you of a date so old that I 
dare not acknowedge it; & I hope you have forgot it: yet I 
was highly flatter'd to perceive that you remember'd me, in so 
remote a Quarter of the World ; I have not y'^ Presumption to 
imagine you will be equally pleas'd to hear that such a one as 
myself, on the other Side the Great Lake, often recollects the 
many chearful Days we have pass'd together, & always recol- 
lects them with pleasure. It will not however raise any dis- 
agreeable Ideas to be reminded of them ; you tell me you wish 
sometimes to dine at the Crown & Anchor,* provided you 
could take a Chair after dinner to ISTew Haven: I had rather 
be of that party, than of any we were ever engaged in together, 
and often build a Castle something like it, within whose Walls I 
constantly include your hospitable Mansion : I wish, but I can 
only wish, that I could spend a twelvemonth amongst my 
American friends : Templef would make me welcome at Bos- 
ton; I should rely on your friendship in Connecticut; & I 
would not disgrace mine Host by English Libertinism ; I am 
a Chip you know of the old Block ; my Great Grandfather at 
the farthest was an Oliverian: & his Posterity is not ,so 
degenerated but that I could look as demurely on Sundays, or 
bundle as merrily on the Week Days, as any the best of the 

* The Crown & Anchor tavern, on the east side of Arundel Street, Strand, 
was also at this date a haunt of Dr. Johnson and his circle. 

t John Temple (born in Boston in 1732, died in New York in 1798) had 
obtained in 1760 through the influence of his distant kinsman, George 
Grenville, the office of Surveyor-General of Customs for the Northern Dis- 
trict of America. He inherited an English baronetcy in 1786. 



JAEED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 293 

Puritans : you would not insist on equal Sanctity at I^Tew York 
& Lord Stirling* would expect a little less : We have lost poor 
Morrisf I find to receive me in the Jerseys : but I should meet 
with another friend in HamiltonJ at Philadelphia : Do not you 
think I have plann'd an agreeable Tour? Seriously I would 
execute it, if I could do as I would; but I am confin'd to the 
spot where you found me, where you left me, & where I flatter 
myself you will some time or other find me again : My only 
Remove has been from one End of the town to the other: M'^ 
Grenville's favour has made me Secretary to the Treasury; a 
Place of too much Business to be compatible with any other: 
I have therefore quitted the Bar & am now immers'd in Politics, 
Parliament, and Revenue. During the Winter I have been 
really too much employ' d to write a single Letter, which I was 
not obliged to write: The Recess of Parliament gives me a 
little more Leisure, & you are one of the first who are sensible of 
its Effects. Wedderburn§ still continues at y® Law & has all 
y^ reason in the World to continue there. He has distinguish'd 
himself as a Speaker in the House ; he meets with y^ Success he 
deserves in his profession : is already Kings Counsel & will be 
in a few Years (I had almost said) whatever he pleases to be 

I often see our friend Jackson & from him have 

frequently heard of your Welfare : His Knowledge in American 
Affairs is of public LTse, when America is become so much the 

* William Alexander, of New York City, born in 1726, and the heir to 
a large fortune, had visited England in 1756-60, posing as a claimant to 
the Earldom of Stirling. 

t Robert Hunter Morris, Chief Justice of New Jersey, and at one time 
(1753-1756) Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania, born about 1700, died in 
January, 1764. 

i James Hamilton, twice Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania ( 1748-1753, 
1759-1763), born about 1710. 

§ Alexander Wedderburn, afterwards known as Baron Loughborough 
(born 1733, died 1805), exchanged the Scottish for the English bar in 
1757, and entered Parliament in 1761. In 1770, with an eye to legal 
advancement, after ardently professing Whig principles, he became an 
equally ardent supporter of Lord North, and after other preferments 
received the lord chancellorship in 1793. In 1774, as Solicitor General, 
he made himself conspicuous by his scurrilous invective at the examination 
of Franklin before the Privy Council. 



294 JAEED IXGERSOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 

Object of the Attention of Ministry. Many Regulations both 
with regard to its Settlement & its Revenue have already been 
made : by this time I suppose you are apprized of them : & you 
would oblige me greatly by informing me of the Reception they 
meet with in your part of the World, & much more by communi- 
cating to me your own free Sentiments upon them : I should be 
happy to know y^ genuine Opinion of sensible Men in the Colo- 
nies upon Subjects equally interesting both to them & to us : 
You know I always from Inclination interested myself in their 
Prosperity : My present Situation necessarily employs me often 
in their Affairs: & I therefore am anxious to get all the Infor- 
mation I can in relation to them. All new Taxes are open to 
Examination; & I should be glad to know what you & your 
people think of those that have been imposed this Session: 
Their produce is doubtful ; perhaps you may make a Guess at 
it so far as your province is concerned ; but certainly these will 
not be sufficient to defray that Share of y® American Expence 
which America ought & is able to bear : Others must be added : 
What they will be, will in some degTee depend on the Accounts 
which will be received from thence : A Stamp Act has been pro- 
posed : Its produce would be great as is generally supposed 
here, from y® great l^umber of Law Suits in most of y^ Colo- 
nies : but it was not carried into Execution, out of tenderness to 
them, & to give them time to furnish y^ necessary Information 
for this, or to suggest any better Mode of Taxation. Would it 
yield a considerable Revenue if the Duty were low upon mer- 
cantile Instruments, high upon gratuitous Grants of Lands, &: 
moderate upon Law Proceedings ? Would y^ Execution of such 
a Law be attended with great Inconveniencies, or open to fre- 
quent Evasions which could not be guarded against ? At least, 
it must be allow'd to be as general an Imposition as can be 
devised : & in that respect seems preferable to a Tax upon 
Negroes, which would affect y^ Southern much more than y® 
Northern Colonies, tho' that on the other hand would be more 
easily collected & less liable to Evasion. If either of these 
would be very exceptionable can you suggest any other ? You 
will highly oblige me by furnishing me with any Information 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPEKS, 1758-64. 295 

relative to j^ Revenue, to the Regulations necessary against 
Smuggling & the Effect of those already made, & to any other 
point that concerns the Colonies : I am anxious on the Subject 
myself & I can find Opportunities to make good Use of any 
Information I receive. My Earnestness about it has you see 
hurried me into a long Letter .... 
I am, Dear Sir, 

Your most obed* humble Serv* 

Thomas Whatelv.* 



Letter to Thomas Whately. 

]!i[ Haven 6*^ July 1764 
D^S". 

I duly rec*^ your favour of the (tis not Dated) two 

Days ago^ — am Charmed with the American tour you so agree- 
ably plan out & can only Join in the most hearty wish that the 
same could be carried into Execution. 

as I expect to see you soon in London I shall hope for the 
pleasure of having an oportunity to say a thousand things to 
you on the Score of friendship & which I will therefore pass by 
at present & proceed directly to the business part of your 
Letter. 

You Desire my opinion upon the late Act of trade,t ^ upon 
the proposed taxations which respect America, as also such 
information of facts &c as have fallen within my Observation. 
This task I shall readily undertake for his Sake who asks it of 

* This letter was printed in part in Mr. Ingersoll's Letters relating to 
the Stamp-Act, pp. 1-5. 

He has written on the original: "I gave ye Govr a Copy of this Letter 
when he was writing ag* ye Stamp Act, also sheAV it to many people." 

The letter was written late in April, 1764 (Parliament rose on April 19). 

The writer, an uncle of Archbishop Whately, was an active politician 
and Member of Parliament, in the close confidence of George Grenville, 
under whom he was Secretary of the Treasury in 1764-65; he prepared 
the draft of the Stamp Act. 

t By the "late act of trade" is meant the Sugar Act of 1764. 



295 JAEED I^TGEESOLL PAPERS, 1758-6-4. 

me, in doing which you may depend on the Strictest truth Even 
tho' it should offend. 

I must tell you then that I think the Parliament have over- 
shot their mark & that you will not in the Event have your 
Expectations in any measure answered from the provisions of 
the late Act. I myself am not in trade nor ever was, nor have 
the people of y® Colony I live in ever carried on any trade with 
the foreign West Indias worth mentioning; my N^eighbours of 
]Sr York, R Island & Boston have very considerably ; tis from 
these & from a Constant 'Observation that I have collected the 
knowledge I have in these matters. I am of opinion that the 
foreign Molasses will bear a Duty of One penny half penny at 
most, the raw or brown Sugar 2/6 & y^ Clayed 5/ p'' C*. ; the 
reasons of this Opinion must you know be built upon j^ Suppo- 
sition that the price of y*' Commodities with which these articles 
are purchased, the price of the Articles themselves & the price 
they will bear at a foreign market all taken together, will not 
leave any profit to the Merchant in case a greater or higher 
Duty is laid. I know it is difficult Especially for me to get a 
precise & full knowledge of these particulars, — but this I think 
I do know that those who have been the most Conversant in the 
trade are of that Opinion. I learn this not from their Declara- 
tions merely but from their Conduct. Interest seldom lies; 
tis most certain I believe that the trade to the french & Dutch 
West Indies is failing &. dying very fast & that there is not a 
single Voyage of that Sort planned with the most Distant inten- 
tion to pay the Dutys. This brings me to remark upon one of 
your queries, viz. whether Smuggling can be Easily prevented 
here. I answer no. My reasons are, the Coast is very Exten- 
sive — Custom house officers placed from 20 to 60 or more miles 
distant one from another — very good harbours upon y^ Coast 
Every 6, 8 or 10 Miles — a plenty of Inhabitants & no Land 
waiters, y® trade indeed would not Support any — some of the 
Sea and Land Custom officers themselves perhaps a little remiss, 
which generally will be the Case. I might add the impossi- 
bility of y'' Guard Costas Cruising to any Advantage in y^ 
winter — the Consequence will be that a Seizure will be made of 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 297 

perhaps one Vessell in a himdred, but I verily believe there 
wont be Enough Collected in y'' Course of ten years to Defray 
y* expence of fitting out one the least frigate for an American 
Voyage, & that the whole Labour will be like burning a Barn - 
to roast an Egg. Was the Duty lowered to where I have 
mentioned the Merch\ would pay it without any men of war to 
Compell him to it — he would pay it rather than run the risque 
of y® Custom house officer alone & partly by reason of his hav- 
ing been used to pay a Sum not much short of that. Perhaps 
'tis the Intention of Parliament that the Duty should amount 
to a prohibition of y^ trade — why they should Aim at that 
indeed I cannot conceive with the Ideas I now have of things. 
You may think me mad for saying it, but I do say, that tis my 
opinion the Parliament of y® two had better have given a pre- 
mium than to have imposed the Duty they have laid upon that 
branch of trade. I dont mean to say that I think it would be 
good policy to do either, but y*^ former I believe would have 
been less impolitick than y^ Later, What is the amount & 
Effect of that trade but the turning our horses, cattle, sheep, 
hogs, poultry, wheat, oats, Indian corn & Lumber of all sorts i^ 
into Cash, & turning the same, & which we can in no other way 
turn, into the hands of the British Merchant in payment for 
British manufactures. I have lately travailed through the 
interior parts of this & Kew York Province & every where 
found the farmer complaining that he could not Sell his wheat 
&c. The English West-Indians by monopolising (their great 
object) the above trade have so lowered y^ prices of y® Several 
articles abovementioned that the Merchant here cannot buy them 
without loss, nor can they be raised by y^ farmer so as to 
answer ; indeed the English West-Indians cannot take of the 
half of what we raise & have to spare. There is certainly a 
very considerable revulsion in y® body politick here & the more 
wealthy Merchants in IST York & Boston have turned their 
thoughts seemingly in Earnest from j^avigation to the Encour- 
aging our own Manufactures, urging y® absolute necessity of it. 
They have actually Entered into Associations, have advanced 
monies & set numbers of hands to Spinning, have Erected 



298 JAEED I^^GERSOLL PAPEES, 1758-64. 

works for the Distilling of Corn Spirits, are planning ways 
& means for the increase of the Stock of Sheep in this 
Country & have gone so far as actually to send to Europe for 
Artificers in the several branches of Woolen & Linnen manu- 
facture. Perhaps you will think this is all a mere feint — as to 
that I can say nothing, I do but narrate facts as they come to 
my knowledge. 

You w^ill admit tis hard to be obliged to make brick without 
Straw. I wish I knew how & by what means we are to pay for 
the British manufactures which we are expected to purchase. 
We are as gay & Expensive as we possibly can be & only want 
the means to be more so in order to our increasing in Luxury. 
We have a little pig iron, & may possibly get into the way of 
raising hemp. I am doing all in my power to Encourage both, 
but you know how hard it is to get y* people to go into any new 
method of Labour, but if we had these & a thousand more means 
of remittance, still if the additional one of y^ trade with the 
foreign West Indies be advantageous to both you & us, why 
should it not be gone into? But I will stop. I find I am 

Jnsensibly got into a Debate with you instead of informing you. 
I long to see you & please myself much in the Expectations I 
have that you & my friend M'^. Jackson & other Gentlemen on 
y^ Side y® water will be able to tell me of some facts & acquaint 
me with some reasonings upon these Subjects which I am at 
present a Stranger to, & that will dispel those Clouds of Dark- 
ness that now hang over my mind : — in short that I shall receive 
a kind of ISTew Sense, & see things in a quite different light 
from what I do now ; & you must know" some think this would 
be very agreeable to me, for I am so much an Englishman, so 
much an Advocate for you on your side the water, especially 
since my acquaintance with you, & at y® same time am, they 
think, so unhappily void of all Puritanism that I have very 
much bro*. upon me the Jealousy of my own Country men — they 
suspect me of being rather too much a favourer of Court inter- 
est. Let them say what the}" please of me here or there, truth 

_shall be my guide & dictate all I say & do. 

What shall I Answer to your queries relative to the proposed 



JARED INGERSOLL PArERS, 1758-64. 299 

internal taxation of America ? You saj America can & ought 
to Contribute to its own defence ; we one & all say y*' same on ■^ 
this Side y* water — we only differ about the means ; we perhaps 
shbuld first of all Rescind great part of the present Expence & 
what remains should difray by the Application of our own force 
& Strength; but the Subject is large & th^ principles of it nice 
&• delicate. I will only remind you that our people dont yet 
believe that the British Parliament really mean to impose 
internal taxes upon us without our Consent, especially y^ people 
of this Colony who beside their Charter of Priviledge granted 
them by K Ch. 2^*. have, they say, planted themselves & sub- 
sisted hitherto without one farthings Expence to y^ Crown, 
except what the JSTation was pleased to give to them in Common 
with their neighbours in the last war. They are however still 
doing at y^ Kings call, & that without Expectation of reward, & 
when they have no immediate frontier of their own to Defend, 
tho' they had in y® Days of their Infancy. If the King should 
fix the proportion of our Duty, we all say we will do our parts in 
y® Common Cause, but if the Parliament once interpose & Lay 
a tax, tho' it may be a very moderate one, & the Crown appoint 
ofiicers of its own to Collect such tax & apply y^ same without 
Acc°., what Consequences may, or rather may not, follow? 
The people think if the precedent is once established, Larger 
Sums may be Exacted & that at a time when the same shall be 
less needed, & that in short you will have it in your power to 
keep us just as poor as you please. 

The peoples minds not only here but in the neighbouring 
Provinces are filled with the most dreadfull apprehensions from 
such a Step's taking place, from whence I leave you to guess how 
Easily a tax of that kind would be Collected ; tis difficult to say V 
how many ways could be invented to avoid the payment of a 
tax laid upon a Country without the Consent of the Legislature 
of that Country & in the opinion of most of the people Contrary 
to the foundation principles of their natural & Constitutional 
rights & Liberties. Dont think me impertinent. Since you 
desire Information, when I tell you that I have heard Gentle- 
men of the greatest property in Neighbouring Governments say, 



300 JARED INGEESOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 

Seemingly very Cooly, that should such a Step take place they 
would immediately remove themselves with their families & 
fortunes into some foreign Kingdom, 

For my own part I Vent no such Speeches & have a full per- 
suasion that so respectable a body as y" British Parliament wont 
i^ do any thing that is unjust or wrong — perhaps I may be Con- 
vinced of the propriety as well as necessity of such a Step. I 
can at least see great difficulty in any supposed method of Carry- 
ing [to ?] an End the Kings Affairs & y* necessary operations in 
America, was I left to devise y^ same my self, & have a fixt Con- 
fidence that English wisdom & Justice will ultimately fall upon 
the best measures to accomplish their Ends. You see I am quite 
prevented suggesting to you which of y* Several methods of taxa- 
tion which you mention woud be y® best or least Exceptionable, 
because I plainly perceive that every one of them or any sup- 
posable one, other than such as shall be laid by the Legislative 
bodies here, to say no more of Em, would go down with y® 
people like Chopt hay. A thousand tho*'^ here occur to me. 
I want to say & to hear you say upon this Subject much more 
than will do to put into a Letter. I will therefore finish when 
I have told you that I sincerely wish you was Master of Every 
useful fact relating to these Subjects, not doubting but the best 
Use would be made of such Knowledge. 

I know you admit with Caution any Evidence you receive 
upon these points from Americans. There is some reason for 
y® Distrust. I wish you maynt be in Equal danger of being- 
deceived by Acc°^. receiv*^. from seemingly more disinterested 
hands. Time & Experience will shew you who are in the 
right ; when those have happened Remember what I have told 
you. I forge:, to tell you that I have no Objections to the Duty 
upon Wines ; I believe we shall drink a little less than we used 
to do & honestly pay the Duty for that which we shall have. 
But why we maynt Carry Lumber directly to Ireland at present 
remains a very great mystery to me, Especially as that Article is 
so necessary for Stowage, with the important Article of flax- 
seed.* 

* Limitations on the importation of 'wines and exportation of lumber 
were imposed by the trade acts of 1765 and 1766. 



JAKED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 301 

I impatiently wait j^ Arrival of y^ Mast Ship in which I 
mean, God willing, to take passage for England. She has been 
out a long time & is hourly expected. ... If you are 
willing let M'". Jackson see this Letter, as I know he will be able 
to Correct me if I have mistook in some of its particulars. 
I am S'. 

Y^ Most Obed^ 

HumV Serv\ 

J. Ingersoll* 
Tho. Whately Esq^ 

Joint Secret^, to y* Treasury 



Letter of Col. J^athan Whitixg. 

Charles Town Sep'^ 22^ 1763 
Dear Sir 

I have the pleasure to tell you I Arrived at Cape Fear about 
the lO*'^ Augustus. After waiting there Some time for a passage 
by water I at Length came by Land. Tis about 200 hundred 
Miles, most of the way through a pine Sandy plain, the Country 
unsetled. Except now and then on Rivers there are Rice plan- 
tations, and Indigo on the Upland. This Town is pleasantly 
enough Situated on a point of Land between the Rivers Cooper 
& Ashly. There is but one way out of Town, that a Level 
Sandy path planted with pines ; the Road is agreable enough 
for once, but tis the Constant Sameness over and over again, 
as much as you have at Sea ; the Orange Gardens are pleasant, 
but dont exceed our Orchards of Aples, Pairs, peaches &c, and 
dont afford such Variety of Agreable fruit, nor such Delicious 
fragTant Smells as our Orchards when in blossom. There is not 
here that Variety of fruit that our Autumn affords, Sower 
Oranges being the principal. The weather about the Middle 
of this Month was Excessive hot, but what makes the hot 

* This letter, published in the Letters relating to the Stamiy-Act, is here 
printed from the rough copy among Mr. Ingersoll's papers. 



302 JAEED IXGEESOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 

weather disagreable is there are not the Regular Sea breezes 
here; some Days there is scarcely Air enough to breath in; 
them few Days affected me a good deal ; tis here they tell you 
more disagreably hot than the West Indias. The weather for 
this two or three Days past has been very Comfortable. I this 
morning found a fire very agreable at Breakfast. The fine 
Season is now Coming on ; they tell me tis one of the finest 
Winter Countrys in the World. The Gentlemen are Generally 
free & Polite, take a good deal of ^N^otice of Strangers and enter- 
tain well ; the Ladys are Generally well made, are delicate and 
may be Called handsome, and are sprightly and gay. 

The difference between the Assembly and Governor* is at a 
high Pitch ; they were called since I have been here, and they 
adhere to their Resolution which was first made eight months 
ago of doing no business with the Governor ; they were obliged 
however to choose a Speaker (as the old one was at the Xorth- 
ward) and present to the Governor for his Approbation, which 
they could not avoid as they could not exist without. They 
have been Brot into Several Dilemmas, particularly to Qualify 
Several 'New Members to take their Seats ; the Rule is when the 
Member is returned, he takes wdiat they Call the qualifying 
/oaths before the House ; than it has been Customary for the 
House to send two of their Members, with the new Member, to 
the Governor to acquaint him Such a one is duel}" returned & 
Qualifyed & to desire him to administer the State oaths to the 
Member, which they were to see & Report to the House. To 
Finess the Governor they avoided ordering two Members to go 
with formality, & only desired two Members to go with the New 
one and be by to see the Governor administer the State oaths. 
The Governor, who is a Man of Spirit and Sense, immediately 
asked them if they had any Message to him from the House; 
they answered they had not but came there by desire of the 
House to see the ^lember take the State oaths. The Governor 
desired them to withdraw & then told the ISTew Member that he 

* For a further statement of the controversy between Governor Thomas 
Boone and the South Carolina Assembly, see Smith, South Carolina as a 
Royal Province, pp. 339-349. 



JAEED INGERSOLL TAPERS, 1T5S-64. 303 

was not properly acquainted with his being a Member, but that 
he would administer the oaths to him as a private Gentleman. 
They have had several such Contests & the House refuse to do 
any business with the Governor. All Publick business is at a 
Stand. The House have now Petition*^ the King for Redress. 
They had a Long debate whether their Appeal was not to be 
made to the Parliament ; it was finally determined it must be 
to the Crown. ]\P Boone is a Man of a IN'ice & quick Sensi- 
bility and has a fortune of his own that Renders him Inde- 
pendent of them, so that he wont give up an Ace of his preroga- 
tive, and they in their turn dont Spare him, but Carry their 
Resentments so high as to Vilify him with Opprobrious 
Language. 

I dont know how long I shall be detained here. The Indian 
War I suppose hinders S'" Jeffry Amherst from sending Troops 
to Relieve us at present ; I dont Expect to be Relieved till Win- 
ter & shall probably be at Home Early in the Spring. If in the 
meantime you can be of Assistance to M'"^ Whiting in any of her 
Affairs I shall be much Obliged to you 

Pray how goe on [missing] , . . have you done the 
Meeting H [missing] . . . House? how is the State? do 
the Saints Govern, or do Some of you Men of the World, take 
upon you Worldly matters ? what part in the Indian War do the 
Susquehanna Gent" take ? And has Col° Dyer gone on his 
Embassy ? What for a Commencement had you ? was it in the 
old Stile ? were you allowed to dance, kiss the Girls, & drink 
Wine ? If so how dos it agree with the plan of Goverment as at 
present Established there? 

I find here no Religious disputes, but there are here of almost 
every kind of Religion, & the Sabbath observed & the Publick 
Worship Carried on with tolerable Decency; here are two 
Large handsome Churches, & meetings of various denomina- 
tions. The Presbiterian is not very well supplied at present; 
at Church they have one Gent: that performs very well. 

[Missing.] . . . has Laid by me a Long time waiting 
an opportunity. I have only known this Long enough to ad a 
Word «t tell you the Congress with the Indians that was to have 



304 ' JAEED IXGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1758-64. 

been held at Augusta is to be held at Dorchester about 20 Miles 
from this Town. Gov'' Dobbs* & Foquieref are in Town, Gov''. 
WrightJ soon Expected. Cap* Steward the Superintendant of 
Indian Affairs § has gone to Collect the black Gentry & bring 
them down. I can only desire you to Salute M" Ingersol in a 
way most Agreable to her, & present my Complements to all my 
friends. I am 

Dear Sir 

Your most humble Serv* 



Jared Ingersol Esq'" 



'N. Whiting. 



* Arthur Dobbs. Governor of Xorth Carolina, 1753-1764. 

t Francis Fanqnier. Lieiit«nant Governor of Virginia, 1758-1768. 

t James Wright, Lieutenant Governor and Governor of Georgia, 1761- 
1771, 1773, 1780. 

§ John Stuart Avas Superintendent of Indian affairs for the Southern 
Department, appointed in 1764. 

II Nathan Whiting, of New Haven (born 1724, died 1771), was a cousin 
of Mrs. Ingersol], — their fathers having been half-brothers, — and was 
graduated at Yale College in 1743, being the leading scholar in his Class. 

He served with distinction through the Old French War, attaining the 
rank of Colonel. A selection from his letters during the war was printed 
in volume 6 of the Papers of this Society. 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 305 



III. London and ]S[ew Haven, 1765-1766. 

In October, 1764, Mr. Ingersoll went again to England (in 
the ship carrying the masts, etc., which he had contracted to 
deliver), with the hope of securing a new contract. While there 
the Stamp Act, imposing a tax on business papers, etc., was 
passed by Parliament in March, 1765. He was induced to 
accept the office of Stamp Distributor for Connecticut, and 
returned to Boston in July; but was forced to renounce his 
appointment in September. 

In June, 1766, he published at JSTew Haven a collection of Let- 
ters relating to the Stamp-Act (pp. iv, 68, small 4°), the essen- 
tial portions of which are here reprinted in consecutive order, 
with other writings of the same period. 



Letter of James Parker. 

Woodbridge April 3, 1764 
S'. 

The Bearer of this M'^ Benjamin Mecom* is a ISTephew to C 
Franilin of Philadelphia, and is a Printer. The Printing- 
Office in ISTew-Haven belonged to me. I parted with half of it 
to Col. Hunter,! upon certain Conditions not performed. I 
have Col. Hunter's Bond for £500 ISTYork Money, which, as he 
is absent, I must try to put in Suit. Mean While I send M'' 
Mecom, with a Power of Attorney from me, to take the whole 
into his Possession, or if refused it, to attach Col. Hunter's 
Part, or such of his Estate, as may be in that Colony, in such a 
Manner as your Laws direct against an absent Debtor, if 
therefore my Attorney should apply to you for any Help or 
Assistance, whatever you shall think proper to be done for 

* Printer of the Connecticut Gazette (1765-68) and postmaster of New 
Haven (1765-67). 

t Colonel John Hunter, probably an uncle of Colonel William Hunter, of 
Williamsburg, Va., who was joint Postmaster-General for the Colonies with 
Dr. Franklin from 1753 to 1761. 



306 JAKED INGEBSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

regaining my Right, I shall support you in, and see you satis- 
fied : and remain 

Your very humble Serv* 

James Parker 
To Jared Ingersol, Esq'' at !N'ew-Haven. 



Letters to Gov. Thomas Fitch. 

London ll*^ Feb: 1765 

Since my last to you, I have been honoured with yours of the 
7*. of December, in which you inform me that the Gen'. 
Assembly have been pleased to desire my Assistance while here 
in any Matters that may concern the Colony. Be so good, S''., 
in return as to Assure the Assembly that I have not only a Due 
Sense of the honour they have done me by placing this Confi- 
dence in me, but that I have ever since my arrival here, from 
Motives of Inclination, as well as Duty, done every thing in 
my Power to promote the Colony's Interests. 

The principal Attention has been to the Stamp bill that has 
been preparing to Lay before Parliament for taxing America. 
The Point of the Authority of Parliament to impose such Tax I 
found on my Arrival here was so fully and Universally yielded, 
that there was hot the least hopes of making any impressions 
that way. Indeed it has appeared since that the House would 
not suffer to be brought in, nor would any one Member Under- 
take to Oifer to the House, any Petition from the Colonies that 
held forth y^ Contrary of that Doctrine. I own I advised the 
Agents if possible to get that point Canvassed that so the Amer- 
icans might at least have the Satisfaction of having the point 
Decided upon a full Debate, but I found it could not be done, 
and here before I proceed to acquaint you with the Steps that 
have been taken, in this Matter, I beg leave to give you a Sum- 
mary of the Arguments which are made Use of in favour of 
such Authoritv. 



JARED INGEESOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 307 

The House of Commons, say they, is a branch of the supreme 
legislature of the iSTation, & which in its Nature is supposed to 
represent, or rather to stand in the place of, the Commons, that 
is, of the great body of the people, who are below the dignity of 
peers ; that this house of Commons Consists of a certain num- 
ber of Men Chosen by certain people of certain places, which 
Electors, by the Way, they Insist, are not a tenth part of the 
people, and that the Laws, rules and Methods by which their 
number is ascertained have arose by degrees & from various 
Causes & Occasions, and that this house of Commons, therfore, 
is now fixt and ascertained & is a part of the Supreme unlimited 
power of the ISTation, as in every State there must be some 
unlimited Power and Authority ; and that when it is said they 
represent the Commons of England, it cannot mean that they 
do so because those Commons choose them, for in fact by far the 
greater part do not, but because by their Constitution they must 
themselves be Commoners, and not Peers, and so the Equals, 
or of the same Class of Subjects, with the Commons of the 
Kingdom. They further urge, that the only reason why Amer- 
ica has not been heretofore taxed in the fullest Manner, has 
been merely on Account of their Infancy and Inability ; that 
there have been, however, not wanting Instances of the Exercise 
of this Power, in the various regulations of the American trade, 
the Establishment of the post Office &c, and they deny any Dis- 
tinction between what is called an internal & external Tax as to 
the point of the Authority imposing such taxes. And as to the 
Charters in the few provinces where there are any, they say, in 
the first place, the King cannot grant any that shall exempt them 
from the Authority of one of the branches of the great body of 
Legislation, and in the second place say the King has not done, 
or attempted to do it. In that of Pensilvania the Authority of 
Parliament to impose taxes is expressly mentioned & reserved ; 
in ours tis said, our powers are generally such as are According 
to the Course of other Corporations in England (both which 
Instances by way of Sample were mentioned & referred to by 
M^ Grenville in the House) ; in short they say a Power to tax 
is a necessary part of every Supreme Legislative Authority, and 



308 JARED INGEESOLL PAPERS, 1Y65-66. 

that if they have not that Power over America, they have none, 
& then America is at once a Kingdom of itself. 

On the other hand those who oppose the bill say, it is true 
the Parliament have a supreme unlimited Authority over every 
Part & Branch of the Kings dominions and as well over Ireland 
as any other place, yet we believe a British parliament will 
never think it prudent to tax Ireland. Tis true they say, that 
the Commons of England & of the british Empire are all rep- 
resented in and by the house of Commons, but this representa- 
tion is confessedly on all hands by Construction & Virtually 
only as to those who have no hand in choosing the representa- 
tives, and that the Effects of this implied Representation here & 
in America must be infinitely different in the Article of Tax- 
ation. Here in England the Member of Parliament is equally 
known to the ISTeighbour who elects & to him who does not ; the 
Friendships, the Connections, the Influences are spread through 
the whole. If by any Mistake an Act of Parliament is made 
that prove injurious and hard the Member of Parliament here 
sees with his own Eyes and is moreover very accessible to the 
people, not only so, but the taxes are laid equally by one Rule 
and fall as well on the Member himself as on the people. But 
as to America, from the great distance in point of Situation, 
from the almost total unacquaintedness. Especially in the more 
northern Colonies, with the Members of Parliament, and they 
with them, or with the particular Ability & Circumstances of one 
another, from the l^ature of this very tax laid upon others not 
Equally & in Common with ourselves, but with express purpose 
to Ease ourselves, we think, say they, that it will be only to lay 
a foundation of great Jealousy and Continual Uneasiness, and 
that to no purpose, as we already by the Regulations upon their 
trade draw from the Americans all that they can spare, at least 
they say this Step should not take place untill or unless the 
Americans are allowed to send Members to Parliament; for 
rvJio of you, said Coll Barre ]^obly in his Speech in the house 
upon this Occasion, who of you reasoning upon this Subject 
feels warmly from the Heart (putting his hand to his own 
breast) for the Americans as they luould for themselves or as 



JAKED IJfGERSOLL PAPERS, 1TG5-66. 309 

you would for the people of your own native Country? and to 
this point M'". Jackson produced Copies of two Acts of Parlia- 
ment granting- the priviledge of having Members to the County 
Palitine of Chester & the Bishoprick of Durham upon Petitions 
preferred for that purpose in the Reign of King Henry the 
Eig-th and Charles the first, the preamble of which Statutes 
counts upon the Petitions from those places as setting forth 
that being in their general Civil Jurisdiction Exempted from 
the Common Law Courts &c, yet being Subject to the general 
Authority of Parliament, were taxed in Common with the rest 
of y* Kingdom, which taxes by reason of their having no Mem- 
bers in Parliament to represent their Affairs, often proved hard 
and injurious &c and upon that ground they had the priviledge 
of sending Members granted them — & if this, say they, could be 
a reason in the case of Chester and Durham, how much more so 
in the case of America. 

Thus I have given you, I think, the Substance of the Argu- 
ments on both sides of that gTeat and important Question of the 
right <&: also of the Expediency of taxing America by Authority 
of Parliament. I cannot, however, Content myself without 
giving you a Sketch of what the aforementioned M^ Barre said 
in Answer to some remarks made by M^. Ch. Townsend in a 
Speech of his upon this Subject. I ought here to tell you that 
the Debate upon the American Stamp bill came on before the 
house for the first time last Wednesday, when the same was 
open'd by M'". Grenville the Chanceller of the Exchequer, in a 
pretty lengthy Speech, & in a very able and I think in a very 
candid manner he opened the ISTature of the Tax, Urged the 
Necessity of it, Endeavoured to obviate all Objections to it — 
and took Occasion to desire the house to give y^ bill a most 
Serious and Cool Consideration & not suffer themselves to be 
influenced by any resentments which might have been kindled 
from anv thina; thev mio-ht have heard out of doors — alludino; I 
suppose to the IST. York and Boston Assemblys' Speeches & 
Votes — that this was a matter of revenue which was of all 
things the most interesting to y^ Subject kc. The Argument 
was taken up by several who opposed the bill (viz) by Alder- 



310 JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66, 

man Beckford, who, and who only, seemed to deny y*" Authority 
of Parliament, by Col. Barre, M\ Jackson, S''. William Mere- 
dith and some others. M''. Barre, who by the way I think, 
& I find I am not alone in my Opinion, is one of the finest 
Speakers that the House can boast of, having been some time in 
America as an Ofiicer in the Army, & having while there, as I 
had known before, contracted many Friendships with American 
Gentlemen, & I believe Entertained much more favourable Opin- 
ions of them than some of his profession have done, Delivered a 
very handsome «&: moving Speech upon the bill & against the 
same, Concluding by saying that he was very sure that Most who 
Should hold up their hands to the Bill must be under a Neces- 
sity of acting very much in the dark, but added, perhaps as well 
in the Dark as any way. 

After him M^ Charles Townsend spoke in favour of the 
Bill — took Notice of several things M''. Barre had said, and con- 
cluded with the following or like Words : — And now will these 
Americans, Children planted by our Care, nourished up by our 
Indulgence untill they are grown to a Degree of Strength & 
Opulence, and protected by our Arms, will they grudge to con- 
tribute their mite to releive us from the heavy weight of that 
burden which we lie under ? When he had done, M'^. Barre 
rose and having explained something which he had before said & 
which M^, Townsend had been remarking upon, he then took 
up the beforementioned Concluding words of M^. Townsend, 
and in a most spirited & I thought an almost inimitable manner, 
said — 

/ ''They planted by your Care? No! your Oppressions 
planted em in America./ They fled from your Tyranny to a 
then uncultivated and unhospitable Country — where they 
exposed themselves to almost all the hardships to which human 
Nature is liable, and among others to the Cruelties of a Savage 
foe, the most subtle and I take upon me to say the most formid- 
able of any People upon the face of Gods Earth. And yet, 
actuated by Principles of true english Lyberty, they met all 
these hardships with pleasure, compared with those they suf- 



JAKED INGERSOLL PAPEES, 1765-66. 311 

fered in their own Country, from the hands of those who should 
have been their Friends. 
/''They nourished up by your indul^i>ence ? they grew by your 
neglect of Em : — as soon as you began to care about Em, that 
Care was Excercised in sending persons to rule over Em, in one 
Department and another, who were perhaps the Deputies of 
Deputies to some Member of this house — sent to Spy out their 
Lyberty, to misrepresent their Actions & to prey upon Em; 
men whose behaviour on many Occasions has caused the Blood 
of those Sons of Liberty* to recoil within them ; men promoted 
to the highest Seats of Justice, some, who to my knowledge were 
glad by going to a foreign Country to Escape being brought 
to,the Bar of a Court of Justice in their own. 
/ ''They protected by your Arms ? they have nobly taken up 
Arras in your defence, have Exerted a Valour amidst their con- 
stant «i: Laborious industry for the defence of a Country, whose 
frontier, while drench'd in blood, its interior Parts have yielded 
all its little Savings to your Emolument. And beleive me, 
remember I this Day told you so, that same Spirit of freedom 
which actuated that people at first, will accompany them still. — 
But prudence forbids me to explain myself further. God 
knows I do not at this Time speak from motives of party Heat, 
what I deliver are the genuine Sentiments of my heart; how- 
ever superiour to me in general knowledge and Experience the 
reputable body of this house may be, yet I claim to know more 
of America than most of you, having seen and been conversant 
in that Country. The People I beleive are as truly Loyal as 
any Subjects the King has, but a people Jealous of their Lyber- 
ties and who will vindicate them, if ever they should be 
violated — but the Subject is too delicate & I will say no more." 
These Sentiments were thrown out so intirely without pre- 
meditation, so forceably and so firmly, and the breaking off so 

* [Xote added by Mr. Ingersoll, on publishing this letter in 1766.] I 
believe I may claim the Honour of having been the Author of this Title, 
however little personal Good I have got by it, having been the only Person, 
by what I can discover, who transmitted Mr. Barre's Speech to America. 



312 JAKED IjS^GERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

beautifully abrupt, that the whole house sat awhile as Amazed, 
intently Looking' and without answering a Word. 

I own I felt Emotions that I never felt before & went the 
next Morning & thank'd Coll Barre in behalf of my Country 
for his noble and spirited Speech. 

However, S'. after all that was said, upon a Division of the 
house upon the Question, there was about 250 to about 50 in 
favour of the Bill. 

The truth is I beleive some who inclined rather against the 
Bill voted for it, partly because they are loth to break the 
Measures of the Ministry, and partly because they dont under- 
take to inform themselves in the fullest manner upon the Sub- 
ject. The Bill comes on to a second Reading to-morrow, when 
ours and the Massachusetts Petitions will be presented & per- 
haps they may be some further Debate upon the Subject, but to 
no purpose I am very sure, as to the Stopping or preventing the 
Act taking Place. 

The Agents of the Colonies have had several Meetings, at one 
of which they were pleased to desire M"". Franklin «&r myself 
as having lately Come from America & knowing more Inti- 
mately the Sentiments of the people, to wait on M''. Grenville, 
together with M'". Jackson & M''. Garth* who being Agents are 
also Members of Parliament, to remonstrate against the Stamp 
Bill, & to propose in Case any Tax must be laid upon America, 
that the several Colonies might be permitted to lay the Tax 
themselves. This we did Saturday before last. M"'. Grenville 
gave us a full hearing — told us he took no pleasure in giving the 
Americans so much uneasiness as he found he did — that it was 
the Duty of his Office to manage the revenue — that he really was 
made to beleive that considering y® whole of the Circumstances 
of the Mother Country & the Colonies, the later could and ought 
to pay something, & that he knew of no better way than that now 
pursuing to lay such Tax, but that if we could tell of a better 
he would adopt it. We then urged the Method first mentioned 
as being a Method the people had been used to — that it would 

* Agent for South Carolina and Georgia. 



JABED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-60. 313 

at least seem to be their own Act «fe prevent that uneasiness & 
Jealousy which otherwise we found would take place — that they 
could raise the Money best by their own Officers kc &c 

]\F. Jackson told him plainly that he foresaw [by] the Meas- 
ure now pursuing, by enabling the Crown to keep up an armed 
Force of its own in America & to pay the Governours in the 
Kings Goverments & all with the Americans own Money, the 
Assembles in the Colonys would be subverted — that the Gov''^ 
would have no Occasion, as for any Ends of their own or of the 
Crown, to call 'Em & that they never would be called to gether 
in the Kings Goverments. M"". Grenville warmly rejected the 
thought, said no such thing was intended nor would he 
beleived take place. Indeed I understand since, there is a 
Clause added to the Bill Applying the monies that shall be 
raised to the protecting & Defending America 07ily. M'^. Gren- 
ville asked us if we could agree upon the several proportions 
Each Colony should raise. We told him no. He said he did 
not think any body here was furnished with Materials for that 
purpose : not only so but there would be no Certainty that every 
Colony would raise the Sum enjoined & to be oblige"^, to be at the 
Expence of making Stamps, to compel some one or two prov- 
inces to do their Duty & that perhaps for one year only, would 
be very inconvenient ; not only so, but the Colonies by their 
constant increase will be Constantly varying in their proportions 
of ISTumbers & ability & which a Stamp bill will always keep 
pace with &c &c. 

Upon the whole he say^he had pledged his Word for Offering 
the Stamp Bill to the house, that the house would hear all our 
Objections & would do as they thought best; he said, he wished 
we would preserve a Coolness and Moderation in America ; 
that he had no need to tell us, that resentments indecently & 
unbecomingly Express'd on one Side the Water would naturally 
produce resentments on tother Side, & that we could not hope to 
get any good by a Controversy with the Mother Country ; that 
their Ears will always be open to any remonstrances from the 
Americans with respect to this bill both before it takes Effect & 



314 JAEED i:v7GEBSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

after, if it shall take Effect, whicli shall be exprest in a becoming 
manner, that is, as becomes Subjects of the same common 
Prince. 

I acquainted you in mj last that M''. Whately, one of the 
Secretaries of the Treasury, and who had under his Care and 
Direction the business of preparing the Stamp Bill, had often 
conferred with me on the Subject. He wanted, I know, infor- 
mation of the several methods of transfer. Law process &c made 
Use of in the Colony, & I beleive has been also very willing to 
hear all Objections that could be made to the Bill or any part of 
v it. This task I was glad to undertake, as I very well knew the 
information I must give would operate strongly in our favour, 
as the number of our Law Suits, Deeds, Tavern Licences & in 
short almost all the Objects of the intended taxation & Dutys 
are so very numerous in the Colony that the knowledge of them 
would tend to the imposing a Duty so much the Lower as the 
Objects were more in N^umber. This Effect I flatter myself it 
has had in some measure. M'. Whately to be sure tells me I 
may fairly claim the Honour of having occasioned the Duty's 
being much lower than was intended, & three particular things 
that were intended to be taxed, I gave him no peace till he 
dropt; these were Licences for marriadge — a Duty that would 
be odious in a new Country where every Encouragement ought 
to be given to Matrimony & where there was little portion; 
Commissions of the Justices of peace, which Office was gen- 
erally speaking not profitable & yet necessary for the good 
Order and Goverment of the people ; and ]*Totes of hand which 
with us were given & taken so very often for very small Sums. 

After all I beleive the people in America will think the Sums 
that will be raised will be quite Enough, & I wish they may'nt 
find it more Distressing than the people in power here are 
aware of. 

The Merchants in London are alarmed at these things ; they 
^' have had a meeting with the Agents & are about to petition 
Parliament upon the Acts that respect the trade of !N^orth 
America. 

What the Event of these things will be I dont know, biit am 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 315 

protty certain that wisdom will be proper & even very neces- 
sary, as well as prudence & good Discretion to direct the Coun- 
cils of America 

I shall hope to see you the beginning of Summer at farthest. 

Y^ Most Obedient 

Humble Ser\ 

J : Ingersoll.* 
Gov^ Fitch 
Copy 

London 6*^ March 1765 
Sir 

In my last, which was by the last mail to New York, I gave 
you a particular Account of the reception the American Stamp 
Bill met with in the house of Commons upon the first bringing 
of it in. Since that time, in the farther progress of the bill 
through the House, there have been some farther debates, the 
most considerable of which was at the second reading of y®. 
bill, npon the offer of the Petitions from the Colonies against 
the same. You doubtless know that no Petition can be offered 
or presented to Parliament but by some Member of y®. house. 
The first that was offerred was by M^. Fuller a West india 
Planter in behalf of the Merchants in London trading to 
America, These Gentlemen it seems are much alarm*^. on 
accoimt of their outstanding Debts in America, which it is said 
Do not fall short of four Millions Including y^ West Indies. 
Substance & purpol't of y^ Petition being opened & stated by M^ 
Fuller & leave being asked to bring it in, 'twas Strongly Objected 
to, npon a principle which it seems has long been adopted by y^ 
Honse fhat no petition shall he Received against a Money Bill; 
this Drew into a Discussion & Consideration How Peremptory 
this Rule of the House was, how long it had been adhered to, & 
y® Grounds & Principles upon which it was founded. LTpon the 

* The present letter, as well as the succeeding one, is printed in Mr. 
Ingersoll's Letters relating to the Stamp Act; but is here taken from the 
manuscript copy among his papers. 



316 JAEED INGEKSOLL PAPEES, 1765-66. 

whole I think it appears the rule had not been deviated from, 
for about forty years last past. The Reason of the Rule is said 
to be y^ Manifest inconvenience that used to arise by Having so 
much of the time taken up in Hearing the various & allmost 
innumerable Claims, Reasons & pretentions of \^ many Sub- 
jects against being Taxed — & that there was the less reason for 
hearing Em, against laying a Tax, as it is at the same time 
an invariable rule that the Subject may Petition for the repeal 
of a Law Imposing a tax after that tax is laid & Experience 
had of the Effects, & finally that however reasonable it might be 
to hear the Americans themselves, there could be no reason for 
hearing the London Merchants in their behalf. 

On the other side it was said, that the rule was not any Order 
of the House, but merely a practice as founded on Experience & 
to prevent inconvenience : — that however unreasonable it would 
be to Admit English Subjects upon every Imposition of a tax to 
come & be heard upon Petitions against the same, yet even in 
England it appeared by precedents produced, that when any 
new species of taxation had been set on foot, particularly the 
matter of funding, so called, i. e. borrowing of the Subject & 
paying Interest by various taxes, that Petitions had been 
admitted against the measure, and also on some other particular 
and extraordinary Occasions formerly, & that this Case as to 
America was quite new & particularly hard as they had no 
Members in the House to speak for them. 

Upon the whole the Question being about to be put, M''. Ful- 
ler seeing pretty plainly which way it would be carried, with- 
drew his Petition. !N"ext S'', William Meredith presented one 
in behalf of the Colony of Virginia ; this was drawn up here 
l:)y their Agent M"". Montegue, but had interwove in it some 
Expressions of the Assembly of Virginia contained in their 
Votes & which at least strongly implied their denial of the right 
of Parliament to tax the Colonies. This drew on a pretty warm 
debate. M^. Yorke the late Attorney General Delivered him- 
self in a very long Speech in which he endeavoured to evince 
that the Kings Grants contained in the Charters to some, & in 
the Commissions to the Governors in the other Colonies, could. 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 317 

in their natures, bo no more than to answer particular local & 
Provincial purposes & could not take the People in America out 
of y^ General & Supreme Jurisdiction of Parliament &c tSrc. 
The General Eule of the House against Receiving Petitions 
against money bills was also again urged ; — on the other Side I 
think no-body but General Conway Denied the right of Parlia- 
ment to tax us ; this to be sure he did in y^ most Peremtory 
manner & urged with Great Vehemence y^ many Hardships & 
what he was Pleased to Call Absurdities y* would follow from 
the contrary Doctrine & practice; y® Hardships & Incon- 
veniences were also again urged & placed in various lights by 
our other Friends in the House. And here I would remark y*^ 
in y® whole Debate first & last Alderman Beckford & G\ Con- 
way were y* Only Persons who Disputed y^ right of Parliament 
to tax us. This is the same G^ Conway who was Dismissed 
from all his offices just at Close of y^ last Sessions for his Contin- 
ual opposition to all the Measures of the Present Ministry ; & 
here I find myself Obliged to say y* Except y® Gentlemen 
Interested in y*^ West Indies & a few Members y* happen to be 
Particularly connected with some of the colonies & a few of the 
heads of the minority who are sure to athwart & oppose y® Min- 
istry in Every Measure of what ISTature or kind soever, I sav 
Except these few Persons so Circumstanced there are Scarce 
any People here, Either within Doors .or Without, but what 
approve the Measures now taking which Regard America. 
Upon the Whole the Question being put Whether the House 
would Receive y^ Petition, it Passed in the N^egative by a great 
Majority. Then M'^. Jackson offered ours which met with the 
same Fate. He then acquainted y® House y* he had one to offer 
for y'' Massachusets Colony, which however as it respected as 
well the late act called the Sugar act as the present, & seeing 
which way the same would be governed he told the house he 
would defer it till another Time ; & here I ought not to omit to 
acquaint you that M^. Charles, Agent for IST. York, had received 
a Petition from his Constituents with orders to present the 
same, but which was conceived in terms so inflammatory that he 
could not prevail on any one Member of the House to present it. 



318 JARED INGEESOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

I forgot to mention that M''. Garth, a Member of the Honse, 
offered one for S : Carolina for which Colony he is Agent, which 
met with the same fate with the Rest. The other iVgents seeing 
the point thus ruled, I suppose thought it to no purpose to offer 
any more. — It is about 4 Days since the Bill passed through all 
the necessary forms in the house of Commons & is now ready 
& lies before the Lords for their Concurrence; it is to take 
place the first Day of JSTovember next. As to the other regula- 
tions which regard America that either have taken place or are 
intended so to do, this session, they are as follows : — first of all 
the Stamp Duty which by the bill was laid on all Salaries which 
Exceed £20, upon a strong representation that the Judges Sal- 
aries in America in general are very low, is dropt out of the Bill. 
y The Courts of Admiralty have been complained of as not only 
infringing on English Lyberty by taking away trials by Jury, 
but as being so placed as to take people for trial from one End 
of America almost to the other. As to the first of these Objec- 
tions they say here that there is no safety in trusting the breach 
of revenue laws to a Jury of the Country where the Offence is 
committed, that they find even in England they never can obtain 
Verdicts where Smugling is practised & therfore always bring 
the Causes up for trial to London. To remedy the Second tis 
determined to have three Judges Extraordinary sent from Eng- 
land, — to be placed, one at Boston (by removing to that place y® 
one now at Halifax), y^ others to be at ^N" York & Philadelphia, 
or at Philadelphia & Charles Town; the Persons to be able 
men bred at Doctors commons, with a Salary Each of £800 Per 
Annum, to be peremtorily forbid Taking any Fees Whatsoever, 
to have Jurisdictions concurrant with y^ other Judges of Admir- 
alty in America, that is an ordinary Jurisdiction the same 
with them, and also an Extraordinary one, of Hearing whatso- 
ever causes shall be Brought before them by appeal from y® 
other admiralty Judges* ; all Prosecutions for y^ breach of rev- 
enue laws to be either in the courts of common law or courts of 
Admiralty, at y® Election of y'' Prosecutor ; & if brought before 
a court of Admiralty to be before a Judge in the Colony where 

' * See below, p. 421. 



JAEED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 319 

y® offence is Committed, or if at Sea to y^ Next, that is to the 
nearest in Point of Distance ; y* y® fees of Office in y^ custom 
Houses shall be all fixt & be y* same in All ; that an Alteration 
in y^ late act shall be made, giving a liberty of Carying Lumber 
Directly to Ireland & also to any Parts of Europe South of 
Cape Finisterre. A farther alteration has been Ask'd, viz. of 
liberty to cary wine, fruit & oil directly from Portugal & Spain 
&c to America, and to suffer a Draw back upon forreighn Sugars 
upon Reexportation to Europe, as also an Abatement of y^ 
Duty upon Molases, but these are at present Denied : — the first 
from a fear y*^ y® Duty upon y^ Wines will not be paid in 
America, there not having as yet been time for a full proof of 
y^ Punctuality of y® Custom-Houses there; y*^ 2*^ because of 
Great Frauds being Generaly practiced in y*^ Cases of Draw 
back upon reexportation ; and y^ 3*^ because there has not been 
Sufficient Experience of what duty y® Molases will bear. Some 
Alterations also tis said will be made with Regard to y* Strict- 
ness that is required in y® Matter of Cockets for Every article 
of Goods caryed Coastwise &c. These I believe are y® princi- 
pal regulations that relate to America, that may be expected to 
take place this Session.- — And here as well to do Justice to the 
Minister M^ Grenville as to the Comparative few who have 
interested themselves in the Concerns of America, I beg leave 
to say that I think no pains have been spared, on the one Side 
in behalf of America to make the most ample & strong repre- 
sentation in their favour, & on the other on the part of the Min- 
ister to hear patiently, to listen attentively to the reasonings & 
to Determin at least seemingly with coolness & upon principle 
upon the several Measures, which are Resolved on. 

I have no need to tell you that in modern times convincing 
the Minister is convincing the House here, Especially in mat- 
ters of Revenue. — I forgot one Article viz. the Post Office, y® 
fees of which tis said are to be lowerd in America. 

And now S''. in order to give you, in the best manner I am 
able, an Idea of the Conferences, Sentiments & reasonings upon 
these Subjects, on this Side the Water, you will be pleased to 
Imagine to yourself a few Americans with the Minister, or any 



320 JARED INGEESOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

other on that part, and after much time spent in Enquiry, 
various observations & remarks, he saying to them as follows, 
You will be pleased, laying aside all consideration of past Ser- 
vices on your Part or on ours, they have both been very great, 
to consider what is y^ present state of things; there is an 
immense national Debt, not less than one hundred & forty 
Millions Lying heavy on this ]!^ation, for which an annual inter- 
est is paid ; by the best informations we can get the whole of the 
publick Debt now in arrear of all the Colonies together is about 
Eight Hundred Thousand pounds. The Civil Establishment 
here for the Support of Government is Eight hundred thousand 
pounds a Year — that of all the Colonies together we find to be 
about forty thousand pounds p^. annum only. You say you are 
comparatively poor to what we are ; tis difficult measuring this 
point, but however opulent some in these Kingdoms are tis well 
known the many can but just live. The Military & naval 
Establishment here is immense, but without considering that, 
the amount of the Expence of the Army now placed in America 
& which is thought quite ISTecessary, as well on Account of the 
troubles with the Indians as for general defence against other 
nations & the like in so Extensive a Country, is upwards of three 
hundred thousand pounds a Year. We shall be glad to find 
that the Stamp Duty now laying on America shall amount to 
forty or fifty thousand pounds, & that all the Duties together, 
the post Office & those laid upon Molasses & other ways shall 
amount to one hundred thousand pounds a Year, so that there 
will not only not be any money brought away from America by 
means of these Duties, but there will be a ballance of more than 
two hundred thousand pounds sent over every year from Eng- 
land to be spent in America. You say the Colonies think they 
can, & that they are willing to do something in the Common 
Cause ; — is this too much ? we think it is not, but if on trial 
we find it is, we will certainly lessen it. As to our Authority to 
lay these Duties or taxes — to us tis so clear a point that to be 
sure we dont care to have a Question made of it. And dont you 
yourselves even want to have us Exercise this Authority in 
your turn ? dont some of you Complain, & perhaps very justly, 



JAEED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 321 

that in the late war, while some of you did much, others did but 
little or perhaps nothing at all — and would not that be the Case 
again was you left to Defend yourselves ? iSTo doubt it would, 
unless you were Erected into one power by a Union of the whole, 
but that is a measure we dont think you yourselves, was you in 
our Steads would think adviseable ; and there are many rea- 
sons why you should wish not to have the Country Defended by 
your own Children. A Soldiers life is not only a life of 
Danger, but in a proper Sense is a base life, whereas you have 
all a Chance in that opening Country to raise your families to 
be considerable in time by a diligent Attention to your natural 
and proper business. 

To all this the Americans answer, truly S'". we must own there 
is a weight in your Arguments & a force in your reasonings — 
but after all we must say we are rather silenced than convinced. 
We feel in our bosoms that it will be for ever inconvenient, 
'twill for ever be dangerous to America that they should be 
taxed by the Authority of a British parliament by reason of 
our great distance from you ; that general want of mutual 
knowledge & acquaintance with each other,— that w^ant of Con- 
nexion & personal friendship, & we without any persons of our 
own Appointing, who will have any thing to fear or hope from 
us, to speak for us in the great Council of the nation— we fear 
a foundation will be laid for mutual Jealousy and ill will, & 
that your resentments being kindled you will be apt to lay upon 
us more & more, even to a Degree that will be truly grievous & 
if that should be the Case that twill be hard under all the Cir- 
cumstances, very hard to convince you that you wrong us, & 
that unknown & very unhappy Consequences will Ensue. 

To this the Minister Replies: — 

Come, suppose your Observations are entirely Just, & indeed 
we must own there are inconveniences attending this matter; 
what then is to be done ? perhaps you Avill say let the Colonies 
send Members to Parliament ; as to that in the first place the 
Colonies have not told us that they desire such a thing, & tis 
easy to see there are many reasons why they should not desire 
it. The Expense would probably be very great to 'Em; they 
11 



322 JAKED IXGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

could not Expect to be allowed to have a Majority of Members 
in the house, and the very inconveniencies which you urge with 
regard to the people in America would in many respects & to a 
Degree take place with regard to their Members. What then ? 
Shall no Steps be taken &■ must we and America be two distinct 
kingdoms & that now immediately, or must America be 
Defended entirely by us, & be themselves quite excused or be 
left to do just what they shall please to do ? Some perhaps will 
do something &; others nothing. Perhaps from the nature of 
our Situations it will happen & must be Expected that one Day 
we shall be two distinct Kingdoms, but we trust even you wont 
say you think yourselves ripe for that Event as yet. You are 
continually increasing in numbers & in strength ; we are per- 
haps come, at least, to our full growth. Let us then leave these 
possible Events to the disposal of providence. We own on our 
part we dont choose to predict, nor jet to hasten the time of this 
supposed period, & think it would be to our mutual disadvan- 
tage for us to attempt a separation. 

Let us then, instead of predicting the worst, hope that mutual 
Interest as well as duty will keep us on both Sides within the 
bounds of Justice. We trust we shall never intentionally bur- 
den you unreasonably ; if at any time we shall happen to do it 
by Mistake, Let us know it »& I trust it will be remedied. You 
find & I trust always will find an easy Access to those who from 
their Office have the principal Conduct of Revenue Laws, and 
we on our part find Avith pleasure that America is not destitute 
of persons, who at the same time that they have the tenderest 
regard for their Interests are well able to Represent to us their 
Affairs & who if they do it with integrity & Candor, w^ill be 
sure to meet with our fullest Confidence. Let mutual Confi- 
dence and mutual Uprightness of intention take place & no con- 
siderable Ills can follow. 

As to any reflections upon the matter I choose rather to leave 
them to you than attempt to make them myself, & am S''. with 
great Esteem 

Y\ most Obedient 

]\[ost Humble Ser*. 

J. IngersoU 



JARED IXGERSOLL PAPERS, 1705-86. 323 

P S March 9 

There is now strong application making for an Act of Parlia- 
ment, for a bounty on various kinds of timber, plank & boards 
imported, to which the Minister seems to lend a favourable Ear. 

Tis said that it is intended to give the business of Collecting 
& paying the Stamp Duty to Americans in the respective 
Colonies. 

I am not without some hopes of having the pleasure of seeing 
you at Hartford before the rising of the Assembly in the May 
Sessions, having taken my passage in the Boscowen Capt Jacob- 
son bound to Boston & who expects to sail the beginning of April. 

J. I. 
Gov'". Fitch 

Copy 

Letter to Godfrey ]\rALB03s'E. 

London April 7'^ 1765 
S' 

The Parliament have been & still are very 

busy with America, Laying Duties and granting, at least talk- 
ing about granting bounties. The Spanish trade you may 
depend is opened, as much as y^ Same can be without Speaking 
loud. They say how they intend not to hurt us upon the whole 
of their regulations, but to do us good. I wish we may be of that 
mind. Many things have been said about the Molasses Duty, 
biit after all they dont intend to repeal or alter the present Act 
without at least trying it, tho I believe they think they must by 
(fc by. I hope to be on your Side the water in two or three 
Months. 

I know" of nothing new here. The same kind of folks go to 
Court & y® Same Sort patrole the Strand a nights that used to do 
when you was here. With Comp' to M'^' Mallbone & all friends 
I Remain 

Y^ Most Obed*. 

HumV Serv\ 

J : Ina'ersoll 
G. Mallbone Esq^* 

* This letter, to Godfrey Malbone of Newport, is at present in the New 
York Public Library; the opening sentences relate to private business of 
Mr. Malbone. 



324 JAEED INGERSOLL PAPEKS, 1765-66. 

Letter or Dr. Daniel Latheop. 

Hartford, May 28, 1765 
Sir 

I happened at Hartford when your Letters were Read in 
the Assembly; am greatly Concerned what will be the Conse- 
quence of so heavy a Tax as y*^ of the Stamps will be, but am 
Glad you were upon the Spot, which beleive was much to our 
Advantage. As you are Appointed the Dispencer of them for 
this Goverment, take this first Opportunity to offer my Ser- 
vice as An Under Distributor for y* part of the Goverment 
where I Live, if it will be Agreable, and Docf. Solomon Smith 
at Hartford who is Connected with me in Buisness there. If 
you think favourablely of s"* Affair please when you Return to 
give me A Line by Post and I will wait upon you Directly to 
settle the Terms. I am Sir with great Esteam 

Your most Obed*. humble Serv*. 

Daniel Lathrop* 
[To 

Jared Ingersol Esq 

In !N" Haven] 



Letter of William Samuel Johnson. 

Dear S^• 

Since we are doomed to Stamps and Slavery, & must submit, 
we hear with pleasure that your gentle hand will fit on our 
Chains & Shackles, who I know will make them set easie as 
possible. In Consequence of this M'. Wales begs me to recom- 
mend the enclosed^ to y''. ITotice. I doubt not you will oblige 
him, if it shou'd not be inconvenient to you ; & indeed from his 
Situation there seems to be ISTobody else in Windham you could 
better employ. 

*Dr. Daniel Lathrop (born 1712, died 1782) was graduated at Yale Col- 
lege in 1733, and conducted for many years a highly successful drug busi- 
ness in Norwich, Connecticut. The letters referred to are the two just 
preceding this in the present collection. 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1705-66. 325 

If you propose to have a Subaltern in every Town, I shall be 
at your service for Stratford if it be agreeable. 

I sincerely re Joyce with you and M'^ Ingersoll on your happy 
return home, and am as ever, 

D"". S\ Y". most affect^ Friend & humble Servant, 

W"\ Sam'. Johnson. 
^ew Haven, June 3'', 1765. 
Jared Ingersoll, Esq'. 



Letters of 2^atitaxiel Wales, Jr. 

Windham June y' 1'* 1765 
S^ 

Notwithstanding my small acquaintance yet as I understand 
you are betrusted with the afair of the Stamp Duty I beg Leave 
to hint that if in y*. plan you should want a person in Each 
County town to dispose of Blanks or paper I should be glad to 
be improved for y'' purpose, if it should suit you & you can con- 
fide in me ; and as I keep an office in the Center and dont prac- 
tise Riding abroad can doubtless serve you. I cant say more as 
Cap* W" Saml Johnson is waiting, and has Engadged to serve 
me if his influence will avail any thing. S". I shall no doubt be 
willing to undertake (if any is wanted) as much to yr advantage 
as any person whatsoever, which is the present needfull from 
him who with grate Esteem is your most humV*^ Serv*" 

Nath^' Wales Ju^* 
Jared Ingersoll Esq'^ 

Windham August 19*^^ 1765 

s-^ 

I receved yours and observe its Contence, and for answer 
must say that I wrote my first to you without much Consid- 1/ 
eration and while matters were much undigested both in my 

* Nathaniel Wales, Junior, son of Deacon Nathaniel, was one of the 
signers of the non-consumption agreement in his native town of Wind- 
ham, in January, 1768, and was one of the Committee "of Correspondence 
appointed to make that agreement effectual. 



326 JAEED INGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1765—66. 

own and other peoples minds ; bnt on further Consideration I 
am of opinion that the Stamp Duty can by no means be Justi- 
fyed, & that it is an imposition quite unconstitutional and so 
Infringes on Rather destroys our Libertys and previlidges that 
I Cant undertake to promote or Encorage it without acting 
dirietly Contrary to my Judgment and the true Intrest of my 
own native Country; and tho I would be a Loyal Subject yet 
that I may be & not Endeavour to promote that Law which in 
my privit Judgment is not Right, as ye case may be, I must 
therefore on the whole refuse accepting — if offered — any trust 
relative to Distributing the Stamps, nor would I accept thereof 
had I thousand pounds annexed to the trust. So that what 
trouble I have given you I must beg your pardon for and sub- 
scribe my self your humb^ Ser°\ 

I^ath^ Wales Ju''. 
[To 

Jared Ingersol Esq' S : Mast'". 
Att 

JSTewhaven] 



Letter of John Coleman. 
S^ 

I hope You'll pardon me that I take the Liberty to request 
the Fav''. of assisting you in the Management of the Stamp 
Office in the County of Hartford, and indulge me with an 
Opportunity to wait on you at Hartford if you should return 
that Way, that more fully may be known the engag'd Desires of 
IV. most Obedient hum^®. Serv*. 

John Coleman.* 
Hartford June 27'"^. 1765. 
[To 

Jared Ingersol Esq''. 
Boston. 
Fav'. 

Sam\ Fitch Esq'.] 

* John Coleman (born 1728, died 1769) was graduated at Yale College 
in 1748, and spent the rest of his life in Hartford. 



jaeed ingersoll papers, 17g5-66. 327 

Letter, of Charles Phelps. 

Stonington August 14, 1765 

Understand that you are appointed Stamp Master for the 
Colony and understand their is to be a Deputy In Each town 
and Should be Glad to bespeak that Post for the town of Ston- 
ington, and if it should be agreable to you to Leat me have it, be 
so Good as to Wright by the Post and your Compliance Will 
Oblige Your Hum' Sr*" 

Charles Phelps. 
To Je** Ingersel Esq 

Letter of Andrew Adams. 

S'^ 

Duty & Inclination induce me to congratulate your Prosperity 
and Return from Europe. In your Absence I have Removed 
from Stanford to this Town where I determin at preasent to 
settle, and as y® station you hold, in consequence of a late Act 
of Parliament, will perhaps require some subordinate Employ, 
I should Esteem myself honoured to be thought Worthy your 
Service ; and would Receive y® Favour with Gratitude. — Will 
wait on you next Week if you Please at Fairfield (as I under- 
stand you will be there) to know your Pleasure in this Respect ; 
& hope I shall be able to Convince you (as much as y^ Difference 
of Station will admit) how much I am 

your Since*'" Friend and Obed* Serv* 

And"^. Adams.* 
Litchfield: 15^^ Aug*: A D 1765 
[To 

Jared Ingersoll Esq^ 

ISTewhaven] 

* Andrew Adams (born 1736, died 1797) was graduated at Yale in 
1760, and became a lawyer in Litchfield. 

Besides the above applications for the office of Deputy Stamp-Distrib- 
utors, a list by Mr. Ingersoll among his papers gives the following 
additional names: — 

Hartford, Capt. [John] Laurence, ]\Ir. Seymour; Windsor, Mr. Henry 
Allvn; Fairfield, M^. Rowland. 



328 jared ixgersoll papers, 1765-66. 

Letter of AjS^drew Oliver. 

Boston, 26. Aug*: 1765. 
Jared Ingersol, Esq. 

Sir The J^ews Papers will sufficiently inform you of the 
Abuse I have met vrith. I am therefore only to acquaint you in 
short, that after having stood the attack for 36 hours — a single 
man against a whole People, the Government not being able to 
afford me any help during that whole time, I was persuaded to 
yield, in order to prevent what was coming in the 2*^. night ; 
and as I hapned to give out in writing the terms of Capitulation, 
I send you a copy of them ; assuring you at the same time, that 
this only was what was given out by my leave. I sho*^. be glad 
to hear from you and am, S"". Yo'' most hum'*". Servant 

Andrew Oliver* 

M^ Oliver acquaints Mr. Waterhouse that he has wrote to the 
L^^ of the Treasury, to desire to be excused from executing the 
Office of Distributor of the Stamps : and that when they arrive 
he shall only take proper care to secure them for the Crown, but 
will take no one Step for distributing the same at the time 
appointed by the Act. And he may inform his friends accord- 
ingly. 

Thursday Afternoon, 15"\ August. 



Letter of James McEvers. 

iSTew York Aug'* 26. 1765 
Sir 

I rec'd a Letter from John Brettel Esq"". Forwarded by you. 

Inclosing a Bond to Execute for the Due Performance of the 

Office of Stamp Master for this Province, which I Eeadely Did 

(and Return'd it per the Last Paq'uet that Sail'd from hence) as 

there was then Little or no Clamour here about it, and I 

* Mr. Ingersoll had arrived in Boston from London in July, 1765, and 
the attentions paid to him by Mr. Oliver had been one occasion of the 
resentment shown to the latter. 



JAKED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 329 

Immagin'd I Should be Able to Transact it; but since W 
Olivers Treatment att Boston has Been Known here and the 
Publication of a Letter from New Haven, the Discontent of the 
People here on Account of the Stamp Act Publickly Appears, I 
have Been Threaten'd with M^ Olivers Pate if not Worse, to 
Prevent which I have Been under a jSTecessity of Acknowledgeing 
I have Wrote for a Resignation which I have Accordingly Done, 
and have Been Inform'd you have Done the Same, of Which I 
Beg you'l Advise me, and if you have not should be Glad to 
Know how you Purpose to Act, as it may be some Government 
to me in Case I Cant Procure a Release. 

I am Sir Your Hum' Serv\ 

James M^Evers* 



Advertisement in the Connecticut Gazette. 
To the good People of Connecticut. 

When I undertook the Office of Distributor of Stamps for this 
Colony, I meant a Service to you, and really thought you would 
have viewed it in that Light when you come to understand the 
Xature of the Stamp Act and that of the Office; but since it 
gives you so much LTneasiness, you may be assured, if T find 
(after the Act takes Place, which is the first of ISTovember) that 
you shall not incline to purchase or make use of any stampt 
Paper, I shall not force it upon you, nor think it worth my 
While to trouble you or my Self with any Exercise of my Office ; 
but if, by that Time I shall find you generally in much IsTeed of 
the stampt Paper and very anxious to obtain it, I shall hope you 
will be willing to receive it of me, (if I shall happen to have 
any) at least until another Person more agreeable to you can be 
appointed in my room. 

I cannot but wish you would think more how to get rid of 
the Stamp Act than of the Officers who are to supply you with 

* A New-York merchant, born 1726. died 1768. 



330 JAEED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

the Paper, and that jou had learnt more of the JSTature of my 

Office before you had undertaken to be so very angry at it. 

I am Yours, &c. 

J. Ingersoll. 
'New Haven, 

24 August, 1765. 

[From The Connecticut Gazette, August 30, 1765.] 



Letter of Jeremiah Miller. 

jSTew London 10 Sep'. 1765. 

I received your fav' by the Post and must tell you in Ansvi^er 
that I have not shewn or mentioned it to any one Person what- 
soever, nor could I venture to do it, as I have been very unjustly 
suspected with regard to my Sincerity in this affair, & I have 
reason to think there has been some' Invidious Aspersions 
against me about it, which could not have arisen from any other 
cause than my not having expressed that Flashy Zeal that is 
only attended with ISToise & Smoke, and my saying y^ I believed 
you undertook this affair Partly with a View of rendring it 
easier to the People, but it seems this is too much for any one to 
say in your Behalf. For my own part I can heartily Join in 
taking every T^egall method of averting this Severe Tax, and 
really think it an Infringement of Liberty as Established by 
Charter, and altho my opinion has been Invariable in this 
respect, yet it seems a Charitable opinion of any one concern'd, 
is next to Treason; and I really believe that your Person & 
Estate will be greatly endangered if you Continue in this Office, 
and if my advice were worth regarding, it would be for you to 
Resign it. 

Your Letter published in y*^. Con*. Gazette was similar to 
what you wrote me, and I perceived in no ways Sattisfactory 
to the people ; for which reason, and what I have before said to 
you, I Choose not to Publish what you sent me, and in which 
vou will excuse me. 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1705—66. 331 

The People are put into such a rage against the poor Govern"", 
for not calling the Assembly that I hope you Will use your 
Interest that it may be done before the Annual Sessions which 
will have a great tendency of frustrating the Designs of any to 
his Prejudice. 

I can add no more but Job's wish, that "it were as in days past 
when the Candle of the Lord shined upon us." This is my 
Prayer for Poor North America, & also that you may be again 
Reinstated in the affections of your Country. 

I am your Hum^ Serv*^ Jere Miller* 
Jared Ingersol, Esq. 



Communication to the Connecticut Gazette. 

In order to shew to people on this Side the water how little it 
Avas apprehended on tother Side by the most Zealous friends of 
America that their having any thing to do with the Stamp 
Appointments would Subject them to the Censures of their 
friends, I beg leave to give Some Account of the manner in 
which those Appoint*^ happened & in particular that for IST: 
York, in doing which I am Sure I shall be Excused by those 
Gentlemen whose names I shall have occasion to mention. 

I ought in the first place to observe that about the time the 
Parliament began their Session last Winter, the Agents of the 
Colonies met together Several times in order to Concert meas- 
ures for Opposing the Stamp Act, in Consequence whereof the 
Minister was waited on by them in order to remonstrate against 
y^ same & to propose, if we inust be taxed, that we might be 
Allowed to tax ourselves ; a very particular Account of which, — 
of y* Difficulties y* Occurred upon every. proposed plan & of all 
the Arguments pro & con & of the Several Steps taken in the 
progress of the Bill through the House of Commons, was com- 
municated by me in Several Letters to y* Gov^. of this Colony & 
which I understand have been publickly read to y*^ Gen\ Assem- 
bly; The Merchants of London trading to America also met 

* Jeremiah Miller, son of Jeremiah Miller (Yale 1709), of New London, 
Connecticut, was the Naval Officer of that Port. 



332 JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

together about this time & Appointed a Com'*, of themselves to 
make all the Opposition they could to the Stamp bill; of this 
Committee M'. Alderman Treeothick was Deputy Chairman. 

Tis well known to many people of the first figure in Boston & 
l^ew York as well as Elsewhere that Barlow Treeothick* Esq'. 
who was brought up at Boston under the late ]Vr. Apthorp & 
whose Daughter he married, afterwards removed & settled in 
London where he has acquired a great Estate with the fairest 
Caracter & is at this time one of the Aldermen of y® City of 
London & well known by all who have the honour of his 
Acquaintance to be a steady, cool but firm friend to America. 
This Com*'^ were pleased to invite the Agents to a Joint Confer- 
ence. They were frequently together & several times before the 
Minister upon the Stamp & other bills that related to America, 
where M'. Treeothick was always principal spokesman as for y® 
Merchants. 

After the Stamp bill passed into an Act and the Minister had 
Resolved on the general measure of offering to y® Americans the 
Oflices of Stamp Distributers in the respective Colonies, for 
reasons, as he declared, of Convenience to the Colonies, he sent 
for M'" Treeothick & Desired him to name a person, some friend 
of his in whom he could Confide, for y° Office of Distributer for 
y*' Province of ]^ew York. M'. Treeothick said to him, as I am 
well warranted to assert, to this Effect : — S"", you know I am no 
friend to y® Stamp Act. I heartily wish it never had taken 
Effect, & fear it will have very ill Consequences. However, tis 
passed & I conclude must have its operation. I take it as a 
favour that you are willing to put the principal ofiices into y^ 
hands of y*^ Americans & Esteem it an honour done me that you 
permit me to name a person for IST York, & so named M"". 
M'^Evers, & went I believe of his own accord & gave bond for 
him at y*^ Oflice, & all most undoubtedly without the j^rivity 
or knowledge of that Gentleman. And upon this general 
plan & principle w^ere all y" Appointments made, that is 

* Son of Mark Treeothick, of London ; married a daugliter of Charles 
Apthorp, of Boston, in 1747; Member of Parliament, and Lord Mayor of 
London; died in London in Jvine. 1775. 



JAKED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 333 

to say, the offer was made generally to those who had 
appeared as y*^ Agents or friends of y® Colonies to take it 
themselves or nominate their friends, & none of them all 
refused that I know of; indeed things were not, I believe, - 
viewed in that very strong light at that time, either there or 
here, as they now are here. There happened but three Instances 
of persons then on the Spot belonging to the old Continent Col- 
onies to whom y^ Offer was made, who were in a Condition to 
accept it personally. These were Co^ Mercer from Virginia & 
M^. Massarve, Son of y* late Co". Massarve from 2^ : Hampshire, 
who happened accidentally in London at that time upon busi- 
ness of their own, & myself. 

!N"ow upon this view of y® matter will not Every unprejudiced 
mind believe that Alderman Trecothick was in the first place a 
sincere friend to y^ Colonies k really averse to y*" passing y^ 
Stamp Act, when Even his Interest as well as his Inclination & 
Convictions led him that way, for tis well known he Deals 
largely with America & could not hope to have his own affairs 
bettered by y*^ Act. In y^ next place will any body suppose 
that he Imagined by this Step he should Expose a valuable 
friend to the resentments of his Country. Again, when the 
measure of making y*^ Appointments in America was thus gen- 
eral, & come into as generally, will any body think that any one 
of the persons concerned Imagined he betrayed his Country 
by falling in with the measure? Perhaps at this time, when 
popular rage runs so very high, some may think the friends of 
America mistook their own & their Countrys true Interest, when 
they listened to these overtures, but who can think their inten- 
tions were ill ? I thought this brief Narrative was a piece of 
Justice due to those who have fallen under so much blame of 
late, for meddling with the Obnoxious Office before mentioned. 

And here I cannot but take I^otice how unwilling some K^ews 
writers seem to be to publish any thing that serves to inform 
the mind of such matters as tend to abate the peoples prejudices, 
they even making use of some kind of Caution, I observe, to 
prevent y^ people from listening to any such Cool & Dispassion- 
ate Dissertations & remarks, which at any time they happen to 



334 JAEED INGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

publish &, at the same time, deal out their personal Abuses in 
the most unrestrained manner, repeating with pleasure the 
Accounts of the most Extraordinary Libellous Exhibitions & 
practices — practices which my Lord Coke Describes as being 
not only the most injurious to Individuals but a Scandal to 
Government, tending to the breach of the peace & Stirring up 
Sedition, y'' terrible Effects of which we begin to see & which it 
appears to me can answer no other publick purpose except so to 
Inflame the Mother Country ag* us as that they will even refuse 
to treat with us on y* Subject of our burdens. I wish all such 
persons would bear in their minds those few lines which the 
facetious Poet so aptly applies, in his Hudibrass, to the begin- 
ning of those Civil Dissentions which laid England in ruins 
about a Century ago — 

When Civil dudgeon first grew high 
And men fell out they knew not why. 
When hard words, Jealousies & fears 
Set folks together bv the Ears &c. 



J: L 



Iv^: Haven Sep'. 10: 1765 



n~^ Letter to the Ges^erae Assembly. 

To the Hon^'. Gen\ Assembly Convened by Special order of 
his Hon', the Gov', at Hartford Sepf 19 1765 

May it please y'. Hon'^ 

The repeated tumults & very Extraordinary practices in 
Several parts of this Colony of late, which so plainly point at 
me, as well as to the Parliament of Great Britain, & all mani- 
festing great dislike, not only at the late Stamp Act but at the 
Officers appointed under the same, will Justify my Laying 
before y'. Hon'l a few things for y'. Consideration, in order as 
well to Exculpate my self as the better to Enable Your Hon'^ to 

* This article was contributed by Mr. • Ingersoll to The Connecticut 
Gazette of September 13, 1765, and is here reprinted from the original 
drdft among his manuscripts. 



JAEED INGEESOLL I'APEES, 17G5-66. 335 

take siicli measures as shall appear most likely to remove those 
Evils which at present appear so alarming. 

It will not be forgotten by this Assembly that the Parliament 
passed a Leading Vote to y^ Stamp Act near two years ago, viz. 
that it might be proper to Charge Certain Stamp Duties on y* 
Colonies ; this Vote I understand was taken in order as well to 
Let y*" Colonies know that the Parliament thought they had 
Authority to Lay such tax, as to give the Colonies an opor- 
tunity to agree upon some plan among themselves that should 
save the need of their taking such a measure. The Colonies did 
not fall in with this plan, but being alarmed at the Claim of 
Parliament went about to Dispute their authority. When I 
came to meet with the Agents last winter &'with the Com"*", of 
the Merchants of London trading to America, who frequently 
met together in order to Concert measures for oposing y® Stamp 
Act, I found it was generally thought that y® matter of y^ Par- 
liaments right to tax us was a thing so thoroughly Determined 
that there was no hopes of Relief that way. I Desired the ''-^ 
Agents however by all means to Dispute that point as I knew 
the Colonies would not be Easy if they should not. Some of 
them said they had Rec*^. from their Constituents such Petitions 
& Instructions as would oblige them to question that matter. 

In the mean time it was thought proper to wait on the Min- 
ister & to let him know how disagreeable it would be to y^ Col- 
onies to be taxed by Parliament — how much it would alarm ^ 
them — & to ask the favour that they might be allowed to tax 
themselves in Case they must be taxed. This was done, & I 
believe Every thing said that could be of any Use, to Dissuade 
from the measure then taking by Parliament. The Minister 
said, he took no pleasure in bringing upon himself y® Resent- 
ments of y^ Colonies — that it was thought reasonable that they 
should Contribute Something in y*^ Common Cause, that as to y® 
manner of raising that Something, he was content to adopt any V 
plan that should be held out to him by y® Colonies, that they 
themselves should think would answer. He askt if y^ Colonies 
were agreed upon the proportion that each Colony ought to 
bear, (S: observed how very difficult it was to fix any proper- 



336 JAKED I^-CTEKSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66, 

tion — how that proportion would be perpetually varying by the 
different increase of different Colonies, & after all the uncer- 
tainty that the respective Assemblies would, by their own Act, 
Raise y® Sums that should be generally agreed on. Much more 
was said upon this Subject & more than can well be comprised 
in a Letter. Upon the whole the matter seemed to be attended 
with much difficulty. He said he had pledged his word for 
bringing in the stamp bill into Parliament that Session & that 
the Parliament would do what they pleased upon it, but that 
he could not forego it. 

When the Petitions come to be offered to y^ House against y® 
bill, the Authority of y*^ Parliament was drawn into question by 
some of them, particularly that from Virginia. This matter 
was as Largely Debated as could be Expected, Considering how 
few there were in y^ house who denied their Authority ; &: here 
I beg to be allowed to State to y. Hon'"^, how impossible it was 
for y® Agents to do any thing more than they did as to this point. 
Tis well known that no person can offer a Petition to y® house 
of Commons Except a ]\rember of y*^ house. I have Acquainted 
y'". Hon", before that there was but two Members who Denyed 
y^ Right of Parliament to tax us : one was Gen\ Conway, a 
Gentleman who was so displeased with the Ministry for what he 
thought personal Injuries, having been deprived of all his offices, 
that he could scarce speak without shewing Signs of Anger — & 
was sure to oppose almost Every thing that was proposed by y^ 
Minister ; y*". other was Alderman Beckford a West India 
Planter.. At y* same time M'^. Fuller, another West India 
Planter, formerly Ch. Justice of Jamaica, & whose Brother is 
their Agent, said he heard that some of y® Agents were for being 
heard at y^ barr of the house by Council upon the matter of the 
Right of Parliament to tax America. I believe, says he, no 
Counsiller of this kingdom (& he knew that no other could) will 
come to that Barr, (pointing to y® barr of y*^ house,) & openly 
question the authority of this house in that particular, but if he 
should, I believe, added he, he would not stay there long; <&: even 
Co\ Barry who spoke so warmly in our favour said in his first 
general Speech that he believed no man in that house would 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 337 

Deny y* Authority of Parliament to tax America, & he was 
pleased to add, that he did not think the more sensible people in 
America would deny it. In short, altho there was about forty 
Members in the ISTegative upon y^ general question upon y* bill, 
& who were y* West India Gentlemen & a few others connected 
with America, yet their Oposition to it was not on account of its 
being Unconstitutional, but because they tho*. y* measure impru- v^ 
dent & perhaps burdensome. These things are no Secrets but 
well known to hundreds of persons besides myself. ISTow upon 
this view of y* matter I would ask what the Agents could have 
done more than they did ; I mean the Agents without doors : as 
for those within, tis well known they do not try to hide that they 
believe the Parliament have full authority. In short I found 
it almost as dangerous in England to Deny y® right of Parlia- v- 
ment to tax America, as I do here to admit it. The Pam- 
phlets that were published here upon y® Subject were dispersed . 
among the Members, but Every one seemed to think the reason- 
ings were not conclusive. 

After the Act passed the Minister was pleased to come into a 
general measure of giving the principal offices under the Act to 
Americans. There happened but two persons then in Eng- 
land belonging to y^ ISTorth Continent Colonies besides myself, 
who were in a Condition to take y® Office personally ; these were 
Co^ Mercer from Virginia & M"^ Massarve from ]^. Hampshire, 
w^ho happened in England at that time upon business of their 
own, but who I take it were named to y® Minister by the Agents 
or some friend of those Colonies. The Distributer fd¥ IST York 
was Recommended by M'^ Alderman Trecothick, Dep. Chairman 
of y^ Com**®, of Merchants beforementioned, a Gentleman 
brought up at Boston, & who has his Connections & Interest 
quite against y® Stamp Act, k which he had opposed through the 
Course of y® winter with all his might. When he was sent for, 
by the Minister, & desired to name a person for ]^. York, he said 
to him, as I am well warranted to assert, to y® following Effect : 
S'^ you know I am no friend to y® Stamp Act ; I heartily wish it 
never had passed, & wish it may not have very unhappy Conse- 
quences; however it is now passed, & I suppose must have its 



338 JAKED INGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

operation, & I take it as a favour that you are pleased to put y® 
principal offices into y^ hands of y^ Americans, & as an honour 
done me that you give me leave to name to you a person for IST. 
York. These, I believe, were the Sentiments of all. jSTow 
when the measure was thus general throughout America & as 
generally come into by all those who had appeared as y® friends 
of America in opposing y*' Act, can it be wondred at that I 
should come into y^ same measure Especially when it is Con- 
sidered further that the Declared motives on the part of y^ 
Minister were those of Convenience to y^ Colonies. He said we 
told him that we were poor & unable to bear such tax ; others 
told him we were well able ; now, says he, take y^ business into 
your own hands ; you will see how & where it pinches & will 
certainly let us know it, in which Case it shall be Eased. 

Y^'. Hon^^ will Consider further that we who were on tother 
side y^ water must see & know how Extremely unlikely it was 
Ever to Convince y* Parliament upon y® point of their Author- 
ity, & which is doubtless the principal matter in all the dis- 
pute, & to be sure we did not Imagin that y*^ Colonies would 
think of disputing y® matter with them at y® point of j^ 
Sword, & that therefore the most we Could do would be to Con- 
struct y^ Act as favourably as possible, & make y* best of it. 
This it was thought would probably be done as beneficially by 
Americans as by Strangers ; & upon my honour I thought T 
should be blamed if I did not accept the Appointment, Espe- 
cially as I knew y® Assembly & people here would have tiine 
Enough before y*^ Act took place to Determin whether they 
would Conform to y*' Act or not, and as I took no Commission, 
nor y* Oath of Office, I Determined, & have Constantly from the 
beginning so Declared to Every one, that if y^ people shall 
think y*^ Act Either too dangerous in its tendency or too burden- 
som to be born & conclude to risque y^ Consequences of a non 
Compliance with it, in that Case there would be little or no Use 
for my Office & that I should never Enter into a warfare with 
my Country about it nor think of taking any Steps in the same. 
On the other hand, if upon the whole view of things it should be 
thought best to submit to y® Act, as in that Case I knew y"^ peo- 
ple would of Course want y*' Stampt paper, I hoped they would 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-G6. 339 

be willing to receive the same at my hands, with those helps in 
the Use & Application of Em which from my being on y^ Spot 
when y^ Act passed I had been able to obtain. With these views 
& with these Declarations I address y' Hon^., waiting & hoping . 
to know by some means or other what are y"" ultimate Senti- 
ments of y® matter. I Desire not to give any byas, was it in 
my power. I believe no person sees in a stronger light than I 
do the trouble & Difficulties, to say no more of Em, that will 
probably attend this matter, whether we go forward or whether 
we go backward. 

I hope your Hon^ will not Suffer any personal Considera- 
tions to divert your Attention from the principal matter. As to 
me I thought I had Acquitted myself with some reputation in 
this matter. T am sure I never Laboured harder in any Cause 
in my life, & shall always have the Satisfaction of knowing that 
I have been able a little to Alleviate the Act, tho I dont think it 
was in my power or the power of all the Colonies together had 
they been present to have prevented it. I am neither afraid 
nor ashamed to have my Conduct in this Affair Examined with 
the utmost Severity, but hope I am not to be Judged unheard, & 
by no other proofs than the most base & wicked insinuations in 
]!^ewspapers & private malignant whispers ; & should those 
fires that have been kindled in some parts of y® Colony terminate 
in nothing worse than the Emblazoning my Disgrace, I shall be 
Content. Would the burning my Effigies or my person save 
this Colony from the Evils that seem to impend I believe I 
ought to think it a Cheap Sacrifice ; — but the difficulty lies 
much deeper, & here I cannot Content myself without letting 
you know what appears to me what appear to be y® Outlines of 
the present Embarrassments. ^ /■■ ,; 

The Parliament & Even the whole jSTation, as far as I could ^'^ "■ ,- 
collect their Sense of y^ matter, seem to be fixt in y® following ^ 
points, viz. first, that America is at this time become too impor- 
tant to itself as well as to y^ Mother Country & to all foreign 
powers to be left to that kind of Care & protection that was 
Exercised heretofore by Each independant Province, in y® Days 
of their Infancy : — that there must be some one Eye to see over 
& some one hand to guide & direct y^ whole of its Defence & pro- 



340 JAEED IJSTGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

tection. In the Second place that America is able & ought to 
contribute Something toward this general protection, over & 
above y^ Advantages arising from j^ American trade ; — the 
Advantages of trade simply Considered, they say, are mutual. 
How this Something is to be Contributed by America in an 
Equal & Certain manner, seems to be y^ great Difficulty. Per- 
haps nothing will Satisfy y^ mind & answer the Demands of 
right reason, let the Constitution & Authority of Parliament 
be what it will. Short of an Authority dependant on the Choice, 
power & will of America to Enforce this Contribution; but 
then there Occurs, at once, a thousand difficulties how to Obtain 
this Common power & Authority, not only without giving 
Umbrage to y*' Mother Country, but even as to ourselves, — the 
many Jealousies that would arise as to y^ proportioning the 
parts of this Common power, & many more which Every ones 
mind will Easily Suggest. On y^ other hand to have y® Sole 
power in the Parliament seems to be attended with peculiar 
difficulty & not to be free from many great & weighty Objec- 
tions; & this does not Escape y*" ISTotice of y^ Gentlemen on 
tother side y® water, but they say the measure is K"ecessary, that_ 
y^ Parliament has Constitutional authority & that they must 

JL_Enforce because there is no other power that Can. 

I have only to wish that in this Day of difficulty & perplexity 
Your Hon", might be at Liberty from the Rage of men not alto- 
gether acquainted perhaps with the nature & Extent of y® Sub- 
ject, to form such Resolutions as shall be for y® ultimate good 
& welfare of the Colony, to which I shall always pay a Due 
Deference, & shall always be ready to serve my Country in what 

, shall appear to me to be their true Interests, notwithstanding 
their prejudices & the ill treatment I have or may Receive from 
them, & am 

Y^ Hon" most Obed* 

& most HumV Serv*. 

J : Ingersoll* 
X Haven Sep'" IS*'^ 1765 

* This letter to the General Assembly was included in the Letters relating 
to the Stamp Act, and is here printed from the author's private copy. 



/ 



JAEED IK^GERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-()G. 341 

P. S. I have given orders to have the Stampt paper for this 
Colony, stopt at IST York until further orders, nor do I intend it 
shall come into this Colony by my direction, until I shall be 
able to discover that it is the Choice of the Gen\ Assembly & 
people of this Colony to have it come. 

J. I. 



COMMUNICATIOX TO THE CONNECTICUT GaZETTE. 

As the Affair, of the 19th Instant, relating to my renouncing 
the Office of Distributor of Stamps for this Colony, is too pub- 
lick to be kept a Secret; and yet the particulars of it not 
enough known to prevent many vague and diiferent Reports 
concerning it ; I thought it might be well to give the Publick a 
brief ^STarrative of that Transaction ; and which I shall do with 
all possible Impartiality, without mentioning the ISTames of any 
of the Concerned, and without any Remarks or Animadversions 
upon the Subject. 

Having received repeated and undoubted Intelligence of a 
Design formed by a great ITumber of People in the eastern 
Parts of the Colony to come and obtain from me a Resignation 
of the above mentioned Office, I delivered to the Governor, on 
the 17th, at ]!Tew-IIaven, in his way to meet the General Assem- 
bly at Hartford on the 19th, a written Information, acquainting 
him with my said Intelligence, and desiring of him such Aid 
and Assistance as the emergency of the Affair should require. 
On the 18th I rode with his Honour and some other Gentlemen, 
Members of the Assembly, in hopes of being able to learn 
more particularly the Time and Manner of the intended Attack. 

About eighteen Miles from hence, on the Hartford Road, we 
met two Men on Horseback with pretty long and large new made 
white Staves in their Hands, whom I suspected to be part of the 
main Body. I accordingly stopt short from the Company, and 
askt them if they were not in pursuit of me, acquainting them 
who I was, and that I should not attempt to avoid meeting the 



342 JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-06. 

People. After a little Hesitancy they frankly owned that they 
were of that Party, and said there were a great Number of Peo- 
ple coming in three Divisions, one from Windham through 
Hartford, one from ]Srorwieh through Haddam, and one from 
New-London, by the way of Branford, and that their Pendez- 
vous was to be at Branford on the Evening of the 19th, from 
thence to come and pay me a Visit on the 20th. These Men 
said they were sent forward in order to reconnoitre and to see 
who would join them. I desired them to turn and go with me 
as far as Mr. Bishop's the Tavern at the Stone House, so called. 
One of them did. Here I acquainted the Governor and the 
other Gentlemen with the Matter; and desired their Advice. 
The Governor said many Things to this Man, pointing out to 
him the Danger of such a Step, and charging him to go and tell 
the People to return Back ; but he let the Governor know, that 
they lookt upon this as the Cause of the People, & that they 
did not intend to take Directions about it from any Body. 

As I knew, in case of their coming to New-Haven, there 
would most likely be an Opposition to their Designs and prob- 
ably by the Militia, I was afraid lest some Lives might be lost, 
and that my own Estate might receive Damage, I therefore con- 
cluded to go forward and meet them at Hartford ; and accord- 
ingly wrote a Letter to the People who were coming in the two 
lower Divisions, acquainting them generally with my Purposes 
with regard to my exercising the Office aforesaid, and which I 
had the Day before, delivered to the Governor to be communi- 
cated to the Assembly, which were in Substance that I should 
decline the Business if I found it generally disagreeable to the 
People, and which I hoped would be sufficient ; but if not, that 
T should be glad, if they thought it worth their while, to meet 
them at Hartford, and not at New-Haven, assuring that I 
should not attempt to secrete myself. This done, I got Mr. 
Bishop to go down to New-Haven, with a Letter to my Family, 
that they and my House might be put in a proper state of 
Defence and Security, in case the People should persist in their 
first Design of coming that way. 

Having taken these Precautions, I tarried that Night at Mr. 



JAEED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66, 343 

Bishop's. The next Morning, Thursday the 19th, I set off 
alone about seven o' Clock, for Hartford, but just as I was 
mounting, Mr. Bishop said he would go along and see what 
would happen, and accordingly overtook me, as I did Major 
Hall, a Member of the Assembly, upon the Eoad; and so we 
went on together until we come within two or three Miles of 
Weathersfield, when we met an advanced Party of about four or 
five Persons. I told them who I was, upon which they turned, 
and I fell into Conversation with them, upon the general Sub- 
ject of my Office, &c. About half a Mile further we met 
another Party of about Thirty whom I accosted, and who 
turned and went on in the same Manner. We rode a little fur- 
ther and met the main Body, who, I judge, were about Five 
Hundred Men, all on Horseback, and having white Staves, as 
before described. They were preceded by three Trumpets; 
next followed two Persons dressed in red, with laced Hats ; then -^ 
the rest, two abreast. < Some others, I think, were in red, being, 
I suppose, Militia Officers. They opened and received me; 
then all went forward until we came into the main Street in 
the Town of Weathersfield, when one riding up to the Person 
with whom I was joined, and who I took to be the principal 
Leader or Commandant, said to him. We can't all hear and see 
so Avell in a House, we had as good have the Business done here; 
upon this they formed into a Circle, having me in the Middle, 
with some two or three more, who seemed to be the principal 
]\Ianagers, Major Hall and Mr. Bishop also keeping near me. 
I began to speak to the Audience, but stopt and said I did not 
know why I should say any Thing for that I was not certain I 
knew Avhat they wanted of me ; they said they wanted me to 
resign my Office of Stamp Distributor. I then went on to tell 
them that I had always declared that I would not exercise the 
Office against the general Inclinations of the People. That I 
had given to the Governor, to be communicated to the Assembly 
my Declarations upon that head ; and that I had given Orders 
to have the stamp'd Papers stopt at ISTew-York, from whence it 
should not come until I should be able to learn from the Assem- 
blv that it was their Choice and Inclination to have it come, as I 



344 JARED INGEESOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

did not think it safe to bring it in without. That I was under 
Bonds to the Stamp Office in England, and did not think it safe 
or proper for me to resign the Office to every one that should ask 
it of me; and that I only waited to know the sense of the Gov- 
ernment, whether to conform to the Act or not in order to my 
getting dismissed from my Office in a proper Manner. And 
as it had been said that the Assembly would not say any Thing 
about the Matter, I had now put it upon this fair Footing, that 
if they did not, by some Act relative to the Affair, plainly shew 
their Minds and Inclination to have the stampt Paper brought 
into the Colony, I should not think it safe, as Times were, to 
suffer the same to come in, nor take any Steps in my Office; 
also observed to 'em, that the Governor, would have Power and 
Instructions to put in another if I should be removed ; that the 
Step could do them no good, &c. They said. Here is the Sense 
of the Government, and no Man shall exercise that Office. I 
askt if they thought it was fair that the Counties of Windham 
and ]!^ew-London should dictate to all the rest of the Colony? 
Upon this one said, It don't signify to parly — here is a gTeat 
many People waiting and you must resig-n. I said I don't 
think it proper to resign till I meet a proper Authority to ask it 
of me ; and added, What if I won't resign ? what will be the 
Consequence? One said Your Fate. Fpon which I looked him 
full in the Face and said with some Warmth, My Fate you 
say. Upon which a Person just behind said, The Fate of ijour 
Office. I answered that I could Die, and perhaps as well now 
as another Time ; and that I should Die but once. Upon which 
the Commandant (for so, for Brevity sake, I beg Leave tc;) call the 
Person who seemed to have the principal Conduct of the Affair) 
said we had better go along to a Tavern (and which we did) 
and cautioned me not to irritate the People."^ When we came 

* The direct road from New Haven to Hartford (a part of what was 
known as the Old Colony Road to Boston) passed through Meriden. Ber- 
lin, and th« western part of Wethersfield (now Newington) ; and what was 
universally known as "the Old Stone House" was on the Belcher Farm 
in the present city of Meriden. 

Mr. Ingersoll's escort appears to have turned to the right hand after 
leaving Berlin (to give time for the Assembly to convene), and passed 



JAEED INGEESOLL PAPEES, 1765-66. 345 

against the House and the People began to alight, I said You 
can soon tell what you intend to — mj Business is at Hartford — 
may I go there or Home ? — and made a Motion to go. They 
said "NcK You sha'n't go two Rods from this Spot, before you 
have resigned; and took hold of my Horse's Bridle; when, 
after some little Time, I dismounted and went into the House 
with the Persons who were called the Committee, being a cer- 
tain I^umber of the principal Persons, the main Body contin- 
uing without Doors. And here I ought not to omit mentioning 
that I was told repeatedly that they had no Intentions of hurting 
me or my Estate ; but would use me like a Gentleman ; this 
however I conclude they will understand was on Condition I 
should comply with their Demands. 

When I came into the House with this select committee a 
great deal of Conversation passed upon the Subject, and upon 
some other Matters, as my being supposed to be in England 
when the first leading Vote of Parliament passed relative to 
the Stamp- Act, and my not advising the Governor of it ; 
whereas I was at that time in America, — and the like, too 
tedious to relate. Upon the whole, This Committee behaved 
with Moderation and Civility, and I thought seemed inclined to 
listen to certain Proposals which I made ; but when the Body of 
the People come to hear them they rejected 'em, and nothing 
would do but I must resign. 

While I was detained here, I saw several Members of the 
Assembly pass by, whom I hailed, acquainting them that I was 
there kept and detained as a Prisoner; and desired their and 
the Assembly's Assistance for my Relief. They stopt and 
spoke to the People ; but were told they had better go along to 
the Assembly where they might possibly be wanted. Major 
Hall also finding his Presence not altogether agreeable, went 
away; And Mr. Bishop, by my Desire, went away to let the 
Governor and Assembly know the Situation I was in. 

After much Time spent in fruitless Proposals, I was told the 

through Wiethersfield village, halting to carry out their design on the 
west side of lower Broad Street, in front of Colonel John Chester's house, 
under an elm tree which has disappeared only within tlie last half-century. 



346 JARED IJ^GEESOLL PAPERS, 1Y65-66. 

People grew very impatient, and that I must bring the ]\Iatter 
to a Conclusion ; I then told 'em I had no more to say, and askt 
what they would do with me ? They said they would carry me 
to Windham a Prisoner, but would keep me like a Gentleman. 
I told them I would go to Windham, that I had lived very well 
there, and should like to go and live there again. This did not 
do. They then advised me to move from the front Window, as 
the Sight of me seemed to enrage the People. Sometimes the 
People from below would rush into the Room in great !N^umbers, 
and look prett}^ fierce at me, and then the Committee would 
desire them to withdraw. 

To conclude. — After about three Hours spent in this Kind 
of Way, and they telling me that certain of their Gentlemen, 
Members of the General Assembly, had told them that they 
must get the Matter over before the Assembly had Time to do 
any Thing about it ; and that it was my Artifice to wheedle the 
Matter along until the Assembly should, some how or other get 
ensnared in the Matter, &c. The Commandant coming up from 
below, with I^'J'umbers following close behind in the Passage, 
told me with seeming Concern in his Countenance, that he could 
not keep the People off from me any longer ; and that if they 
once began, he could not promise me where they would end. I 
now thought it was Time to submit. I told him I did not think 
the Cause worth dying for, and that I would do whatever they 
should desire me to do. Upon this I look'd out at a front Win- 
dow, beckoned the People and told 'em, I had consented to com- 
ply with their Desires ; and only waited to have something 
drawn up for me to sign. We then went to Work to prepare 
the Draught. I attempted to make one myself; but they not 
liking it, said they would draw one themselves, which they did, 
and I signed it. They then told me that the People insisted on 
my being Sworn never to execute the Office. This I refused to 
do somewhat peremtorily; urging that I thought it would be 
a Prophanation of an Oath. The Committee seemed to think 
it might be dispensed with ; but said the People would not 
excuse it. One of the Committee however said, he would go 
down and try to persuade them off from it. I saw him from my 



JAEET) USTGERSOLL PAPERS, 1705-66. 347 

Window amidst the Circle, and observing that the People 
seemed more and more fixt in their Resolution of insisting npon 
it, I got lip and told the People in the Room, I would go and 
throw myself among them, and went down, they following me. 
When I came to the Circle, they opened and let me in, when I 
mounted a Chair which stood there by a Table, and having 
pulled off my Hat and beckoned Silence, I proceeded to read off 
the Declaration which I had signed ; and then proceeded to tell 
them, that I believed I was as averse to the Stamp-Act as any 
of them ; that I had accepted my Appointment to this Office, I 
thought upon the fairest Motives ; finding, however, how very 
obnoxious it was to the People, I had found myself in a very 
disagreeable Situation ever since my coming Home; that I 
found myself, at the same Time, under such Obligations that I 
did not think myself at Liberty peremtorily to resign my Office 
without the Leave of those who appointed me ; that I was very 
sorry to see the Country in the Situation it was ; that I could 
nevertheless, in some Measure, excuse the People, as I believed 
they were actuated, by a real though, I feared, a misguided Zeal ^' 
for the Good of their Country ; and that I wished the Transac- 
tions of that Day might prove happy for this Colony, tho' I 
must own to them, I very much feared the Contrary; — and 
much more to the same Purpose. 

When I had done, a Person who stood near me, told me to give 
Liberty and Property, with three Cheers, which I did, throwing 
up my Hat into the Air ; this was followed by loud Huzzas ; 
and then the People many of them were pleased to take me by 
the Hand and tell me I was restored to their former Friendship. 
I then went with two or three more to a neighbouring House, 
where we dined. I was then told the Company expected to 
wait on me into Hartford, where they expected I should pub- 
lish my Declaration again. I reminded them of what they had 
before told me, that it might possibly ensnare the Assembly for 
them to have an Opportunity to act, or do any Thing about this 
Matter. Some inclined to forego this Step, but the main Body 
insisted on it. We accordingly mounted, I believe by this Time 
to the dumber of near one Thousand and rode into Hart- 



348 .TARED I^^GERSOLL PAPERS, 1765—66. 

ford, the Assembly then sitting. They dismounted opposite the 
Assembly House, and about twenty Yards from it. Some of 
them conducted me into an adjoining Tavern, while the main 
Body drew up Four abreast and marched in Form round the 
Court House, preceeded by three Trumpets sounding; then 
formed into a Semi-circle at the Door of the Tavern. I was 
then directed to go down and read the Paper I had signed, and 
which I did within the Presence and Hearing of the Assembly ; 
and only added that I wisht the Consequences of this Day's 
Transaction might be happy. This was succeeded with Liberty 
and Property and three Cheers ; soon after which the People 
began to draw off, and* I suppose went Home. I understand 
they came out with eight Days Provision, determined to find 
me, if in the Colony. 

I believe the whole Time I was with them was better than 
three Hours, during a Part of which Time, I am told the Assem- 
bly were busy in forming some Plan for my Relief, the lower 
House thinking to send any Force, was it in their Power, might 
do more hurt than good to me, agreed to advise the sending some 
Persons of Influence to interpose by Persuasion, &:c. and com- 
municated their Desire to the upper Board, in Consequence 
whereof certain Gentlemen of the House were desired and were 
about to come to my Relief, it being about half an Hour's Ride ; 
but before they set out they heard the Matter was finished. 
Had they come, I conclude it would have had no Effect. 

This, according to the best of my Recollection, is the Sub- 
stance of the Transaction ; and in most of it I have had the 
concurrent Remembrance and Assent of the beforementioned 
Mr. Bishop. If I have omitted or misreported any Thing 
material, I hope it will be imputed to want of Memory only — as 
I mean not to irritate or inflame, but merely to satisfy the 
Curious, and to place Facts in a true and undisguised Light. 

J. L* 

ITew-Haven, September 23, 1765. 

* This account was published by Mr. Ingersoll in The Connecticut Gazette 
of September 27, 1765, and republished in the Letters relating to the 
Stamp-Act. 



JARED INGERSOLL, PAPERS, 1705-66. 349 

P. S. I perceive these People, the Night before this Affair 
happened, placed a Guard round the Court House in Hartford, 
and at my usual Lodgings in that Town ; also secured the Pas- 
sage over the Bridge in the Town ; and all the Passes even by 
the Farmington Eoad; to prevent my getting into Town that 
j^ight ;— a needless Pains had they known it. The Members of 
the Assembly arrived in Town the same Evening. 



Letter to William Livingston. 

N": Haven, Oct'. r\ 1765. 

It is much if you dont by this time paint me out in imagina- 
tion as a kind of fiend with a cloven foot and fury-forked 
tongue, a Court Parasite & a Lover of the Stamp Act ; and i^ 
yet the truth is that I love the Stamp Act about as little as you 
do, & remonstrated to the late Minister against it all in my 
power. What! and Accept of the Office of Distributer of 
Stamps when you had done ? impossible ! a Strange paradox 
this I suppose at present, & I dare say will remain so till y^ 
times are a little more moderate, & so I wont trouble you with 
an Attempt to Explain it. 

We having now got rid of all the Stamp Officers, I suppose we 
have nothing left for us to do but just to get rid of the Stamp 
Act itself. I wait impatiently to See how you will go about 
this at ]^ : York. I own I expect you will be the very first who 
will introduce it ; not because I think you less patriotick than 
your neighbors, but because the Stamps will be handier to you 
than to most others. 

I went to England last winter with the strongest prejudices 
against the Parliamentary Authority in this Case; & came 
home, I don't love to say convinced, but confoundedly begad & 
beswompt, as we say in Connecticut. Virtually represented, 
has been so prettily ridiculed that one should almost conclude 
that Calvinism itself is a blunder, and that Representation tt 



350 JAEED liVGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

Election are always Correlitives. JSTothing is more true than 
that no Taxes can be Imposed according to the English Law & 
Constitution, but bj the peoples consent in Parliament by their 
representatives, and tis Equally a Maxim of English Liberty 
that no Laws can be made or abrogated but by their Consent in 
the same manner. 'Now I want you to tell me whether the Par- 
liament can or cannot make any Laws that shall have any bind- 
ing force upon us in America. No man sees in a stronger light 
than I do the dangerous tendency of admitting for a principle 
that the Parliament of Great Britain may tax us ad libitum. 
I view it as a gulpli ready to devour, but when I look all round 
I am at a loss for a plan. I think there is all the reason in the 
world why we should be in a Situation Equally safe with the 
people in England ; but how, and what, and when, I am almost 
weary in y® Enquiry. I want to talk with you about four 
hours. I spent the whole winter among Politicians, both Eng- 
lish & American, and among Em all found no plan for America 
that did not appear to me full of the greatest difficulty & Embar- 
rassment. 

Brother Johnson will be with you soon & can tell you more 
from me than I can Communicate in a Letter, & by him I shall 
be exceeding fflad to Learn vour real Sentiments in this matter. 
I think it behooves every one to do his utmost at a time when 
nothing but distress and trouble are in prospect. 

I hear there are many Strange Stories to my disadvantage 
Current at K York, which I shall not give myself the trouble to 
contradict, as I know at this time tis not in my power to con- 
vince by the best & strongest evid'ence. My own consciousness 
of innocence no man can take from me. 

Please to 'make my Comp^ to M''^ Livingston & to all those 
gentlemen whom I had once the honor of calling my friends & 
who I hope will not quite give me up yet. 

I am S'. y" Most Obed*. Humb. Serv*. 

J. IngersoU. 

W" Livingston Esq''. 
[Copy.] 



jared ingersoll papers, 1765-66. 351 

Letter to Thomas Whately. 

I^ew Haven Nov^ 2^ 1765 
Dear Sir, 

In mj last which was the 9"". of SeptemV. I acquainted you 
with the Appearances in these parts relative to the Stamp Act, 
with the very general commotion among the people & with the 
many insults that had been offered to me as well as to the Act 
of Parliament itself, by burning in EfBgy & the like. Since 
that, viz. on the 19^^. of September I met with an Extraordinary 
instance of violence offered to me in person, & which Extorted 
from me a declaration of renouncing the office of Distributer of 
Stamps for this Colony, a particular Account of which affair 
you have in the inclosed I^ews paper of the 27*^'". of the same 
Septemb'^. 

I also acquainted you that the General Assembly of last May, 
from the Moderation of the times, did not Seem at all disposed 
to oppose the Stamp Act, tho the Same was far from being 
agreeable to them ; but the Confusions of later times occasioned 
a Choice of new Members, to the amount of about half the lum- 
bers in the lower house of Assembly, for the late Session in 
OctoV., & generally such as were very warm against the Stamp 
Act. This, with the general Cry that way, so fixt the Assembly 
in their opposition to the Act, that it has been almost dangerous 
for any person to talk of a Submission to it, and the result of all 
has been the passing the Resolutions contained in the enclosed 
^Newspaper of the first instant, wherein among other things 
they say, the Stamp Act is unprecedented and unconstitu- 
tional — in which I am told all the Members of the lower house 
Concurred except about five* ; the Upper house also Con- 
curred by a Majority of voices, in directing to have the resolves 
go on the records of the Colony, and tis concluded to transact no 
business this winter that requires Stampt paper, nor until we 

* Captain Henry Glover, of Newtown, Thomas Fitch, Jr., and Epenetus 
Piatt, of XorAvalk, Seth Wetmore, of Middletown, and Dr. Benjamin Gale, 
of Killingworth, are the five usually named in this list of exceptions; to 
these names are less confidently added Oliver Tousey, of Newtown, and 
Partridge Thatcher, of New Milford. 



352 JAEED INGERSOLL, PAPERS, 1765—66. j 

shall hear whether the Act will be repealed or not ; if it should 
not, I dont yet know what we are to do next. The peoples 
Spirits are kept up ; no person dares introduce or make use of 
any Stamps ; those for this Colony are lodged, by my desire, in 
the fort at IT. York, there to remain till further orders. 

The Governour with much difficulty got Sworn to the Observ- 
ance of the Act, all his Council except four expressly refusing 
to Swear him, & Even abruptly left the room when the oath was 
about to be administred, declaring they could not in Conscience 
be present, as they Esteemed the Oath inconsistent with the 
Provincial Oath of the Governour, & some of them say they shall 
not Scruple as Judges to Declare the Act of Parliament ipso 
facto void. Such are the times here. 

The Governour, from the first, since the Act passed has been 
fully resolved to Comply with & obey it, as being a Command by 
the Authority of the IsTation, which he is not disposed to Contro- 
vert or disobey. Of the same opinion & disposition are four of 
his Council and indeed many other people, but their voice is 
drowned amid the general Cry, and those in power who dare 
favor the Act may Expect Speedy Political death. A Gover- 
nour in this Colony you know has no ITegative to any Act of 
Assembly, nor can he Exercise Scarce any power but as the 
Assembly give him leave, & no one dares & few in power are 
disposed to punish any violences that are offered to the Author- 
ity of the Act ; — in Short all the Springs of Government are 
broken, and nothing but Anarchy and Confusion appear in 
prospect. 

Some think the distresses which the want of the Stampt 
papers will Occasion, will put the people upon moving the Assem- 
bly to desire me to introduce and distribute them. Should this 
be the Case I should not Scruple to Officiate, notwithstanding 
my forced resignation ; but if, as others think, the people will 
Suffer any Evil rather than become Slaves, as they think they 
shall, by Conforming to the Act, & if in that Case any kind of 
force should be made Use of to guard the officer or the like, 
I should not think my person or dwelling safe was I to attempt 
to Exercise the Office, and therefore must in that Case beg to be 
Excused and that some other may be Appointed in my room. 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 353 

Tis hard, my friend, after having done every thing in my 
power to prevent & to moderate the Act, as you are my Witness 
I did, to be Charged with being the Author of it, at least with 
having inhanced it for the Sake of my own profit, then to have 
the Office, which you know was mentioned to me by you before 
ever I thought of it, wrested out of my hands by a Mob, and to 
be left to be insulted by that very Mob & those very persons who 
set Em on me, for my reward, having run the risque even of my 
very life also in the matter. These are trying things, I assure 
you, yet I keep up my Spirits & preserve, I think, a good degree 
of philosophick fortitude. I am not without friends, & those i 
whom you would Esteem the better people in the Colony. The 
Governour is my fast friend, as I am his, & can only wish he 
had that Countenance and Approbation which his Conduct & 
behaviour upon all Occasions well deserves. I am full of 
Apprehension for my Country, which I cannot but regard not- 
withstanding the Abuses I have met with in it. 

Some say the Stamp Act is to be repealed; if it should, I 
will be Content to Suffer all — & bear all without regret or 
recompence. Others say it is to be moderated only; this I 
think may well be done, as tis most likely we rather under than 
overcast the probable amount of it. Let me suggest that to 
repeal all the Probate testamentary part will take away the Cry 
of the widow & fatherless. The Eegistry of deeds amounts to 
but little & is very burdensome as we register in books. Process 
before Single Justices for forty shillings, being generally for 
debt, falls very much on the poor. Do try to get these Eased, 

if no more 

T am S'^ 

y^ Most Obed^ HumV Serv*. 

J. IngersolL* 
To Th : Whately, Esq^ 
Copy 

* This letter having become public before being forwarded, was recalled 
by the author and never sent. Three separate drafts of the manuscript are 
preserved, which have been compared for the present purpose. A few foot- 
notes were added in the copy printed in Letters relating to the Stamp-Act. 

12 



35-i jaeed ingersoll papers, 1765-66. 

Letter to the Stamp Commissioners. 

1^: Haven 'Noy'. 2^: 1765 
May it please Y"". Hon*. 

Upon my first arrival from England at Boston the later End 
of Jnly last, I found Every thing full as quiet with regard to the 
Stamp Act, as I expected, and from the informations I there 

< received from this Colony had no reason to Expect any other 
than a Submission to it here, tho much ag*. the peoples inclina- 
tions. About this time the resolves of the Assembly of Virginia 
(& which you have doubtless seen before now) began to be 
, spread abroad in these parts, at which the peoples Spirits catch- 
ing fire, burst forth into a blaze, first at Boston, then in this 
Colony & Elsewhere, an Account of all which you must have 
had before this time. The plan adopted by the populace was to 
force the Stamp Oflicers to a resignation & then to proceed in 
business as usual without the use of Stamps. I myself after 
being burnt in Efligy in many places by the populace & Suffer- 
ing all the insult and indignity that either the wit or malice of 

^ men could invent, besides threats as to my person & house, met 
with a force on the lO*'^. of Sept^., which Extorted from me a 
like declaration of renouncing the ofiice of Distributer of Stamps 
for this Colony, as had been done in neighbouring Colonies, — a 
particular Account & detail of which affair is contained in the 
inclosed news paper of the 27*^. of Sept'', to which I beg leave to 
refer you. I was about to write you of this matter immediately 
after it happened, but on further thoughts concluded to wait till 
this time, as not knowing but that the people who offered this 
violence when they come to cool would think proper to release 
me ; or that the Gen\ Assembly of y^ Colony which meets 
annually in OctoV. would take some Steps, either inviting me 
to officiate in the office or engaging some protection, in which 
case I should not have Scrupled to proceed in distributing the 
papers, if by these means I found it to be the mind of the body 
of the people that I should. But instead of my meeting with 
any thing of this kind, I have now to inform you that the House 
of Eepresentatives of this Colony, at their late Sessions have 
among other things Voted the Act of Parliament imposing the 
Stamp duties unprecedented and Unconstitutional^ & concluded 



JAEED INGEESOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 355 

to let the Ensuing winter pass without transacting any business 
that requires the use of Stampt papers, & in the meantime to 
Petition Parliament for a repeal of the Act. What will be done 
in case the Act shall not be repealed I cannot tell. GoV. Fitch 
from the first, as also four of his Council, altho' heartily wishing 
the Act had not passed, have been disposed to Submit to it, as to 
A Law Enacted by the Authority of Parliament & which they 
should not undertake to dispute or disobey ; which four as well 
as the GoV, Especially the later, have but too much reason to 
Expect to fall a political Sacrifice to the resentments of the peo- 
ple ; the one for presuming to take, the others to administer, the 
Oath required by the Act; the Lower house I understand all 
concurred in their resolves, Except about five persons. 

The. first parcel of Stampt papers designed for this Colony 
arrived at ISTew York about a week ago & are Safely lodged by 
my desire in the fort there. I have advised with GoV. Fitch 
about Sending for them into this Colony. He thinks it by no 
means Safe as we have no Strong hold in which to place them, 
& the peoples threats continued in the most open & highhanded 
strain to destroy them if they come ; specimens of which 
threatnings you may see in the inclosed ISTewspaper of the first 
instant, & which contains the resolutions of the house of repre- 
sentitives of this Colony. Indeed you must know & be fully 
informed from all quarters that]jhe rage of the peopleis so 
great that it is almost dangerous to say a word in favour of a 
Submission to the Act, & that it is at present absolutely impos- 
sible for me to distribute any of the papers. What will be the 
End of these things God only knows. Some think the dis- 
tresses of the people which w^ll be occasioned for want of y® 
Stamps will force them even to invite me to distribute them. 
The people most of them say they are as willing I should dis- 
tribute them as another, but that they shall not be distributed by 
anybody. Others think they will even Suffer death & Every 
Evil before they will Conform to the Act, as thinking from that 
moment they shall commence Slaves. Should the people con- 
clude to take Em I should be willing to distribute the papers, 
but if there must be any kind of force or compulsion used to 
this End, I shall be glad to be excused. 



356 JARED INGEESOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

It is said by some the Act will be abated in part, by others that 
it will be repealed. If the later takes place I shall be glad to 
drown all my little interests in the general good ; but if part 
only is intended to be taken off, I beg leave to suggest to ease all 
Probate & Testamentary matters — the Cry of the Widow & 
fatherless would not then be heard, and Estates here are but 
Small & can but illy bear any duty; also the duty registring 
deeds, which will raise but a trifle & yet occasions so much 
trouble, especially here where we make use of books to register 
in ; also the Judgments & process for forty Shillings, which 
with us is before Single Justices of the peace, & being gen- 
erally for Debt the duty falls heavy on the poor. I think these 
abatements might well enough be made, as tis probable to me the 
computations of the Sums expected to be raised were rather 
under than overcast by the Ministry & those who assisted them 
in that matter and money in the Colonies at this time is certainly 
extremely Scarce. 

I shall write to 3'OU again soon & in the mean time, while I 
impatiently wait the Isue of the measures on your side the 
water as well as ours, shall consult the Governour from time to 
time and pursue such measures in disposing & securing of the 
Stamp papers as I shall Judge will turn to the best Account of 
his Majestys interest. 

I have received no letter or directions whatever from the 
Board, but shall expect something by the next Packet. The 
Gov^. cannot but wonder & regret that he should not have 
received from the Ministry or otherwise one single word about 
the Stamp Act. 

I am Your most Obed*. 

& most HumV Serv*. 

J : Ingersoll.* 
To the Hon^ Commiss''*. of Stamps. 

* This letter, which Avas finally Avithheld and never sent, is preserA-ed in 
two separate drafts among Mr. IngersoU's papers. As printed in his 
Letters relating to the Stamp-Act, with foot-notes, it is drawn mainly from 
the longer of the two manuscript drafts; but the other draft is here 
followed, as apparently representing the author's maturer judgment. 



jared ingeesoll papers, 1765-66. 357 

Letter to Richard Jackson. 

^ Haven :^rov^. 3^ 1765 

I wrote Tou from Boston soon after my arrival there from 
England in Jnlj. Since that time I have been too much 
Employed for my own Safety & the regulation of my Conduct 
amidst the Confusions of this Country to be able to attend to 
the rights of friendship. When I first came home every thing 
appeared tolerably quiet, but the Virginia Resolves taking air 
threw Boston into a flame, %vhere after having offered the high- 
est indignities to M''. Oliver the Mob fell upon Lieu*. Gov^ 
Hutchinsons house & destroyed it, with every thing in it, with a 
more than Savage fury. The Same Spirit Spread itself into 
this Colony, where I suffered in common wdth my brother ofii- 
cers the indigTiity of being burnt in Efiigy & of having every ill 
natured thing published of me in !N'ewspapers in the most unre- 
strained manner. I have been called Traitor, Parricide & the 
hardest of J^ames — am Charged with having Contributed to get 
the Stamp Act passed, & all to secure to myself the Office of 
Distributor. 

On the 19*^. of SeptemF. I met with a very Extraordinary 
violence & which Extorted from me a Declaration of renounc- 
ing the afores^. office, a particular account of which you have in 
the enclosed N'ewspaper of the 27*^\ of the same Sep"". Since 
that time I have been a little more at Ease, but the Colony as 
well as the ^Neighbouring Provinces are in a great ferment. Our 
xlssembly of last May I am told were moderate, but that of 
Oct^ have gone so far as to Vote the Stamp Act unprecedented 
&: unconstitutional, as you will see by the inclosed ISTewspaper 
of the first Instant. The Gov^ with much difficulty got Sworn 
by four of the Council, the others refusing as thinking the Act 
of Parliament derogatory to the rights of the Colony; — these 
four & the Gov', are all now threatned in the highest manner 
with political death, so strong are the peoples resentments 
against the Stamp Act. It has been generally concluded not to 
use any Stamp papers, but to lie still this winter in full Confi- 
dence that you will repeal the Act ; if you dont I cannot tell you 



358 JAKED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

whats to be done next. For mj own part I shall be glad it may 
be repealed, altho I was sure in that case to be almost trampled 
upon. You know I did not aid or assist in bringing the Stamp 
Act upon us, but was as unwilling to have it pass as any man 
could possibly be. You know also, I believe, that the Office of 
distributer was first mentioned to me by M"". Whately without 
my seeking or even before I thought of it. 

If the Stamp Act should be abated only, pray attempt to take 
off the whole of matters testamentary ; that branch of the duty 
makes a gTeat uneasiness & is really burdensome upon our 
Small Estates. The Registry of Deeds will be very burden- 
some, or rather inconvenient, as we register in books, & will 
amount to but little. Process before Single Justices to the 
amount of forty Shillings, being mostly for debt, falls princi- 
pally upon the poor. We had rather have a little than nothing 
at all ; a repeal of the whole is what we wish for. 

We have had a great Congress, as you will hear, whose 
representations & petitions will be sent to you, as also instruc- 
tions from this Colony how to prefer & urge the same. The 
matter of your right to tax us you will see is uppermost 
& mixt in with all the other matter. How far these Peti- 
tions will serve us I cant tell. I hope you will do Every thing 
in your power to obtain for them a reception & hearing, how- 
ever different from your Judgment they are drawn. You will 
Easily see by Every thing we say or do on this side the water 
that our ITotions of our Constitutions & rights are such as I 
suspect you on your side will call IN'otions of independance — 
where & how things will end I dont know. 

Some think the distresses of the people occasioned by the 
want of the Stamp papers will move them to desire the Assembly 
to apply to me to distribute them, in which Case I should not be 
against doing it, notwithstanding what has passed; but with- 
out such request from the Publick or being Convinced that it is 
the general inclination of the people to make Use of them, I 
shall not think my dwelling or person safe was I to attempt it, 
nor yet incline to have the business ; — indeed at present it is as 
much as a persons life is worth to make use of Stampt paper. 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 359 

Think for me in mv critical Scituation & be so good as to let 
me know what I ought to do ; in the mean time I will hope for 
better times. You cannot Easily conceive the perplexity of 
Scituation I have been in, between my Obligation & duty of 
Office on one side and the rage of a distracted multitude on the 
other, & for weeks together I have been under Constant Appre- 
hensions, at least for my house & Substance. 
With Comp^ to all friends 

I remain Y^ most Obe"^. HumV Serv*. 

J Ingersoll. 

P. S. I perceive you have had a great revolution of Ministry 
since I left you, but that they Expect thej shall be able to return 
things back into their former Channel again. I care not who 
are in, so they are friends to America. — A Map of this Colony 
drawn by one Mott, one of our people, is lately sent over to the 
Secretary of State, which I shall be glad you will see. I think 
it is done in a very accurate as well as Elegant manner. — The 
Gov^. did all he could to prevent the Extremes that have hap- 
pened, but you know he has little power as Gov^. This Colony 
is Eighty thousand pounds in debt, arrears of taxes that cannot 
be collected by reason of the poverty of those on whom they 
are laid. 

Dec^ 19. this Letter was dispatched & recalled on a Surmise 
that I had wrote something detrimental to the Colonies inter- 
ests. To prevent all Suspicion for the future I shall write no 
letters across the water but such as are absolutely necessary till 
things are more settled than they now are. I hope you will be 
the Colonies friend, whatever some people here may think of me, 
and I hope I can yet say with a much greater man than myself, 
"Whatever Errors I have committed in Publick life I have 
always loved my Country ; whatever faults may be objected to 
me in private life, I have always loved my friend ; whatever 
Usage I have received from my Country, it shall never make me 
break with her ; whatever Usage I have received from my 
friends, it shall never make me break with one of them while I 



360 JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

think him a friend to my Country." I have received much 
undeserved favour and good at the hands of my Country, & 
shall I not bear with a little Abuse, especially upon so irritating 
an Occasion as the Stamp Act. 

Let IVF. Whately know I dont think it best for me to write to 
him just now, but shall be glad to hear from him. 

Shew as much of this as you shall think necessary on my Acc°. 
to the Commiss^ of Stamps, if you shall find that my Letter to 
them dispatched with this shall by any means miscarry. 



R. Jackson Esq'. 

Copy 



J. I. 



Letter to the Stamp Commissioners. 

^ : Haven Dec^ 2 : 1765 
May it please Y"". Hon'. 

In my last which was of y® 2*^. Ult. I acquainted you fully 
with the Several Occurrences I met with since my Arrival in 
these parts & with the disposition of the people with regard to 
the Stamp papers. I have now further to acquaint you that 
the people in this Colony as well as Elsewhere continue, & if 
possible increase in their opposition to the Act & seem deter- 
mined, at all Events, not to Submit to it. As there is there- 
fore no prospect of my being able to Serve Either them or his 
Majesty in the Office of Distributer for this Colony, I have to 
Desire that their Lordships of the Treasury will Excuse me 
from that office. We flatter ourselves here that there will be no 
Occasion for any ISTew Appointment, as hoping the Act will be 
repealed this Session. The office is at this time the most odious 
here in America of any thing that can well be imagined. I 
have found myself in the most distressed Scituation between the 
Obligations of my Office & the resentments of y^ people, but 
hope it will not be long before I shall be rid of both. 

* From the manuscript copy of Mr. Ingersoll's letter, published also in his 
Letters relating to the Stamp-Act. 



JAKED INGERSOLL TAPEKS, 17G5-66. 361 

I have not as yet rec*^. any Letter from the Board. I shall 
take the best Care I can to secure the Stamp papers for his 
Majestys Use & take such Steps to that End as the Kature & 
Circumstances of things shall require & admit of. 
I am 

Y^ Hon^ most Obed*. 

& most HumV Serv^ 



To the Hon*. Com^ of Stamps 
Copy 



J Ingersoll.* 



Letter to William Samuel Johnson. 

E"-Haven 2 Dec^ 1765 

it is a time when mankind Seem to think they have a right 
not only to Shoot at me with the Arrow that flyeth by Day, but 
to Assassinate me in the dark, as you will see by the inclosed 
Letter which I desire you will be so good as to read, then Seal & 
Deliver to the person to whom directed, and to let him know 
that you are acquainted with the Contents, or not, as you shall 
think best The truth is I Strongly Suspect that /. M'. 
Chandler was not the Original Author of the Story. 

tis pretty certain that my letters have been intercepted & 
broke open — they were sent to IST York by M^ John Ray — he 
was at our M'". Chandlers after I gave them to him & he, M'. 
Chandler, saw them in his hands. This I happen'd to know 
only by ]\F Chandlers dropping such a word some little time 
ago ; further I have not been able as jet to trace the matter. 
Xow if you think proper, I shall be glad you will send for your 
Neighbour Chandler to V' house, & if he will to talk freely y^ 
whole matter ; it may be he will Consider you as a mediator, as 
indeed I wish you would be, and settle y* matter. I want only 
a reasonable Satisfaction & am willing you should be Judge of 
that. . . . 

* From the manuscript copy ; published also in Letters relating to the 
Stamp-Act. 



362 JAEED INGEESOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

were ever times like these? any man has it in his power at 
this time by suggesting any ill natured thing about what he may 
suppose I have wrote either about publick or private affairs, to 
Occasion a Deputation of a Com**, from a Body of People con- 
sisting of not less than three or four thous*^ men, to come to me 
& tell me if 1 will satisfy 'em in the matter by letting that body 
of people see the Copies of my Letters it will be well — if I 
wont -they cannot promise in what way they will see Cause to 
resent it — that it was with difficulty they could keep them from 
publishing in I^ews papers the whole matter which had been 
reported, even without Enquiring of me or otherwise any fur- 
ther about it. The Gentlemen who came to me upon the Sub- 
ject were Captains Liddle & Cleveland & Cap*. Asah\ Fitch; 
they appeared friendly — behaved with Candor & Declared them- 
selves Satisfyed with what I had wrote. I found my self under 
that kind of Necessity above described of Delivering out to them 
y*^ Copies of y® Letters I had wrote to y® Com^ of Stamps & to 
]\F Whately with a number of other Copies & original Letters <fc 
which I conclude will be publickly read to Large numbers of 
people & that before the originals (some of them) will have 
half reached the persons to whom they are directed — which you 
know will be Esteemed a great indecency by people who are not 
distracted with the present times. N'ot only so but. in private 
Letters altho' there should be nothing wicked or oifensive you 
know how disagreeable it must be to have ones own most free 
thoughts like tete a tete Conversations proclaimed aloud on the 
house tops. 

the Substance of what I have wrote home in those Letters is 
giving a general & I believe it will be thought a very Just & 
Candid Account of the publick transactions relative to the 
Stamp Act ; as to y*' particular matters alledged I have said, not- 
withstanding all the hardships I have undergone in this affair, 
I shall be glad to have the Stamp Act repealed, that in that Case 
I shall be glad to drown my little interests in the general good — 
that I shall be glad to suffer all, to bear all without regret or 
recompence — that if it is intended to Abate of y^ Act only I 
suggest what Articles I think ought to be taken off with some of 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 363 

y* reasons. I press M'. Jackson to do his utmost to obtain for 
the Petitions a hearing «S:c. I inform them that some people 
think J® distresses of j^ people will oblige them to ask me to fur- 
nish them with the Stamp papers — which if it should happen in 
a gen\ way & y® Assembly desire me to do it, I should not think 
myself so bound by my promise of renunciation but that I 
should do it, but that I could not do it without such gen*. Invi- 
tation, & that many thought the people would suffer death & 
Every Evil before they would Submit to y® Act as thinking 
from that moment they shall Commence Slaves &c &c. In 
short I wrote in as strong terms as I d [missing] considering the 
Board of Com^ I knew (whatever may be thought here) will 
consider me as their Officer bound as well by my Obligation as 
otherwise to do every thing that I properly & reasonably could 
to Carry y® Act into Execution, until some other should be 
appointed in my room. I tell them that if any kind of force 
must be used, as guarding y^ Officer or y® like, I must ask to be 
excused & that their Lordships of y® Treasury will appoint some 
other person ; in short to that p [missing] in general that I 
cannot be their distributer unless y® people of y*^ Colony are 
willing I should, & Volenti non fit injuria you know. The 
Gentlemen who came to me found no fault with these Senti- 
ments, said they were y® same that were mentioned at Weathers- 
field &c and that if it should so happen that before these things 
can be known at home & proper Answers & new Appointments 
made, y® people in gen\ should conclude to take y® Stamps it 
would doubtless be my duty to supply them with them; but 
there is no danger, of this as I fully acquaint y^ board, telling 
them what y® Assembly have Voted &, that it is even dangerous 
for any person to talk of a Submission to y^ Act. Let me hear 
from you upon the Subject of this Letter as soon as conveniently 
you can. There are but few friends at this Day whom I dare 
trust with my whole heart. You are one of them. 
I am y''^ &:c 

J. Ingersoll.* 

* This letter is taken from the manuscript collections belonging to the 
Connecticut Historical Society. 



'S64: JAEED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

[To 
W°\ S : Johnson Esq^ 
at 
Stratford.] 



Letter of Richard Ray. 

:N'ew York December 12'^ 1765 
M'': Ingersall 

Sir — Yours of the 2*^: Instant I but yesterday Rec*^: or 
should have imediately answered it, by it I find that I am Sus- 
pected of Opening & Communicating the Contents of the letters 
you Sent by me to be forwarded to England and am surprised 
from what such suspicion Should arise. There has been no 
opportunity to forward them since they have been in my Care or 
should have sent them as directed. In order to Clear my self 
from being thought the opener & Communicator of the Contents 
of letters, that I had undertaken to serve a friend in forward- 
ing, I am under the ISTessessity of Returning them, from which 
by the impression of your Seal you Can Determine wether such 
Suspicion is Justly founded. You have them here inclosed ; 
the Ship Grace Cap*: Pell will Sail for London in about 10 or 
12 Days, by whom I should have sent them, but as I am sus- 
pected of Communicating the Contents of what I never knew, to 
Clear my self I have Returned them : & am 

S': YourHumV: Serv*: 

Rich"^: Rav.* 



Letter of Johx Chain^dler. 

S' 

have rec^. your favor of 2*^ instant. Should readily have 
given y* intelligence & satisfaction you requird, had not the 
middle of your Epistle contained several menaces, which led me 

* A young merchant, son of John Ray, of New York, died 17S4. 



JAKED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 365 

to conclude y* I should be calld to clear myself in a more pub- 
lick manner & being not concious of guilt, I care not to flee when 
unjustly persued or to be intimidated to the humour of any 
man. However, would let you know that I was not the orig- 
inal of any report made to Col\ Putnam ; neither was I ever 
guilty of making up of or even thinking of those expressions 
you charge me with, demanding "wheither I had therti from 
another or not" ; & y* what was said if tracd back will come 
directly on a professd friend of yours who said, as I am informd, 
that he had the same words from your own mouth, but as men- 
tioning names would innevitably make breaches in a valuable 
friendship, I shall decline it to the last extremity. Am how- 
ever sorry to find y* a fals suspition raisd immagination, or a 
report as you say hath bin to you of bad consequence, although 
you had the pleasure to hear the com"^ "say they were satisfied 
with your conduct & found the story to be groundless." 
Eemain S"" your wrongfully suspected 
hum^ Serv* 

Jn° Chandler.* 
Stratford IS*'^ Decemb 1765 

[For 
Jared Ingersol Esq"" 
IT. Haven] 



Letter of William Samuel Johnson. 

Dear Sr : 

AgTeable to my promise I have confer'd several times with 
IP. Chandler on the subject of your Letters to him, & to me. 
He utterly disclaims having Originated any part of the Story 
himself, but says he deliver'd it precisely as he receiv'd it from 
his Friend, who had it from a Person who receiv'd it from an 

* John Chandler, born 1736, died 1795, was graduated at Yale in 1759, 
and served as Tutor in 1761-63. His father's second cousin, Joshua 
Chandler (Yale 1747), was a prominent citizen of New Haven. 



366 jAEED ijstgersoll papers, 1765-66. 

intimate Friend of Yoiir's, who collected it from a Conversation 
with you upon the subject of Stamps. But he will not be per- 
suaded to mention the it^ames of those thro' whom it came. He 
also insists the affair was not represented to him nor hy him in 
the Terms you mention, nor in any Language that could con- 
vey such Idea's, or indeed anything like them. By his Account 
of the matter he only represented, that you had wrote to the 
Commissioners of Stamps & to Mr. Whately upon the subject, 
without mentioning, or pretending to point out the purport of 
your Letters ; and supposes that the People to the Eastward have 
thence Imagined that you must have wrote in the manner they 
have represented. They have in Truth excellent Imaginations 
in that part of the Country, and it would not be very surpriseing 
to find a story of this kind exaggerated amongst them. To dis- 
cover the Person's thro' whose hands this story came to him, Mr. 
Chandler thinks would be a breach of Friendship unpardon- 
able in him, unless under an absolute necessity to do it, and it 
would also he thinks make a disagreable breach between you & 
y. Friend who took it first from you ; but was he at Liberty he 
says he could by Evidence exculpate himself. I told him you 
would run the venture of the breach with your Friend, & desired 
him to see his Author who might perhaps consent to have his 
name mention'd. He took time to do it, but still gave me the 
same answer. He alledges that he had not the least Intention to 
misrepresent or Injure you, tS: if he has been the means of doing 
it, the transgression was involuntary, and he hopes you will take 
no farther notice of it. He add's finally that he expects to be at 
]!^ew Haven this week, when he will wait upon you & have a 
farther Eclaircissment upon the subject. I hope by compare- 
ing his representation of the matter with what you have from 
others, you will be able to discover who has been the Calum- 
niator, & cause him to do you right ; towards which if I can be 
farther useful you will freely command 

D^. S^ y. most affectionate humble Serv*. 

W^. Sam\ Johnson. 
Stratford 
Dec'". 16*: 1T65 



jared ingersoll, papers, 1765-66. 367 

Letter to the Staimp Commissioners. 

I^ Haven Jan^ 4'^ 1766 
May it please Y". Hon". 

Upon my first arrival in these parts I found Every thing full 
as quiet with Eegard to y* Stamp Act as I Expected, knowing 
the same would at least be very unwelcome to the people ; but 
soon after the Virginia Resolves began to be spread abroad, the 
peoples Spirits took fire & burst forth into a blaze. The plan 
adopted by the populace was to force the Stamp Officers to a 
resignation of their offices & then to proceed in business as 
usual without Stampt paper. Open violences first began at 
Boston, where M"". Oliver suffered in the manner you must be 
particularly acquainted with before now ; then the Lieu*. Gov''. 
& so on to Rhode Island & this Colony. I suffered in this Col- 
ony in Common with my Brother Officers Elsewhere the indig- 
nity of being burnt in EfSgy in many Towns «Sr of having Every 
ill natured thing said of me in ISTewspapers in the most unre- 
strained manner, & was besides under constant Apprehensions 
for some time, at least for my house & Substance, from the 
threats of y® people because I would not resign, as they called it, 
that is, declare I would not officiate in my Office. 

In this Critical Scituation between the Obligations & Duty 
of my Office on one hand and the resentments & even rage of 
y® people on the other, I declared publickly that I would not 
Exercise the Office of Distributer if generally disagreeable to 
the people, but would seek a dismission from it ; indeed I knew 
if y® people should generally Determin to run the risque of a 
non Compliance with the Act of Parliament, it would be to 
little purpose for me or any other to hold the Office. 

I hoped this would have stopt the fury of y^ people, but it 
had little or no effect, xiccordingly on the 19**". of Sepf. I met 
with a Violence which Extorted from me a Declaration of 
renouncing the Office in the manner as you will see particularly 
described in the inclosed N"ewspaper of y^. 27*'^. of y* same 
Sepf . to which I beg leave to Refer you. 

As our Gen\ Assembly sets annually in Ocf., I chose to wait & 
see how far y^ people, when Cooler, would discover an inclination 



368 JAKED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

to have & make use of the Stampt papers, as I should certainly 
have thought it my Duty, notwithstanding all that had passed, 
to have distributed the papers to the people, had they generally 
or the Assembly desired it, at least until I could have heard from 
the Board, & this y* people have known ; but you will see by the 
other ISTewspaper of y® 1^*. of !N^ov^. that the Assembly as well as 
people are sufficiently opposed to y^ Stamp Act. The Gov', 
got sworn to y^ Observance of it, but much Clamour of many of 
y^ people has ensued. In short, such is y® general opposition 
that no man at this time would Venture to make Use of Stampt 
paper, was it Ever so Easy to be come at, and it would be 
dangerous to punish any breaches of y® Act. 

It has been generally Concluded by the people not to transact 
any business this winter that requires the Use of Stampt paper, 
in hopes the Parliament will repeal the Act ; if they should not, 
I cannot tell what will be done next, only in general that 
According to the present Appearance of things the people seem 
Determined to Suffer Every Evil, rather than Submit to it. 

I have Advised with the Gov', about Suffering the Stampt 
papers that have Arrived at ]S[ : York to be bro'. into this Col- 
ony. He is clearly of my opinion that it is by no means Safe, 
as we have no Strong hold to place them in, & the people in the 
most open manner declare they will Seize & take them from me 
as soon as they shall arrive. In short, you must be fully Con- 
vinced from the Accounts which you will be continually 
receiving from all quarters that it is at present Absolutely 
impossible for me or any other person to take a Single Step in 
the Office in this Colony ; & I am glad, by y* help of the Gov', of 
JSTew York & Gen\ Gage whose aid for that purpose I have 
requested, to preserve the papers from being destroyed. Such 
are the times here & almost Every where else throughout y^ Con- 
tinent of America. I myself have suffered Shipwreck of my 
reputation among the people for accepting this very Obnoxious 
Office, &: after having run the risque of Even life itself in 
endeavouring to Discbarge y*" Obligations &; Duty of y^ Office 
which I am under, I see no way but to ask for a Dismission from 
the same & to set down contented with the resentments of y^ 



JAKED INGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 369 

people for my reward. They generally indeed say they are as 
willing I should have the Office as another, but that they have no 
need, nor will have any. 

Your favour of y*' 13'^ of Sepf. giving an Acc°. of one parcel 
of Stampt paper N° 1 shipt on board the Edward, Cap*. Davis, 
also N^ 2 p^ Cap*. Haviland, & N°. 3 p^ Cap*. Tillet, I rec''. 
the 22"^ Ult, together with my Deputation & Instructions; also 
y'. favour of the 11*^. of Oct', giving an Acc°. of one parcel of 
Stampt paper shipt for Boston on Board the John & Sukey, 
Cap*. Bruce, N°. 40, not yet arrived, I rec"*. the 27*^". Ult. I 
have taken Care as mentioned above to have these taken proper 
Care of & protected as they arrive, but I could not possibly, was 
I to attempt it, open those parcels or do any one thing with 
them. 

Former Letters of mine to the Board, giving a very full & par- 
ticular Acc° of y* Occurrences that I have met with since com- 
ing home, have been obliged to be recalled & thereby a Delay of 
Information has happened, but I hope no other inconvenience. 
You cannot easily conceive the perplexed as well as distressed 
Scituation I have been in, and shall hope for your Candor & 
Excuse accordingly. 

You have one Letter from me before this which I trust will 
get to you, bearing Date 2"^. LQt. 

I am &c. 

J. L* 

To y^ IIon\ Comm\ of Stamps 
Copy 



AdVEETISEMENT IX THE CONNECTICUT GaZETTE. 

Whereas I have lately received two anonymous Letters, call- 
ing on me (among other Things) to give the Publick some fur- 
ther Assurance with regard to my Intentions about exercising 
the Office of Distributer of Stamps for this Colony, as some 
others have done since receiving our Commissions or Deputa- 

* From a copy preserved among Mr. Ingersoll's manuscripts; published 
also in his Letters relating to the Stamp Act. 



370 JARED INGEESOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

tions of Office for that Purpose ; and that I confirm the same by 
Oath. And altho' I don't think it best ordinarily to take I^otice 
of such Letters, nor yet to take Oaths upon such Kind of Occa- 
sions; yet (as I have good Reason to think those Letters came 
from a large dumber of People belonging to this Colony, and 
do respect a Subject of a very interesting JN^ature, and the pres- 
ent Times being peculiarly difficult and critical, and I myself 
at no Loss or Difficulty about making known my Resolutions 
and Intentions respecting the Matter aforesaid) I have con- 
cluded to make the following Declaration and to confirm the 
same by an Oath ; that is to say, 

1. I never was nor am I now desirous, or even willing, to 
hold or exercise the aforesaid Office, contrary to the Mind and 
Inclination of the general Body of People in this Colony. 

2. I have for some Time been and still am persuaded, that 
it is the general Opinion and Sentiment of the People of this 
Colonj^ (after mature Deliberation) that the Stamp Act is an 
Infringement of their Rights and dangerous to their Liberties, 
and therefore I am not willing, nor will I, for that and other 
good and sufficient Reasons, as I suppose, (and which I hope 
and trust will excuse me to those who appointed me) exercise the 
said Office against such general Opinion and Sentiment of the 
People; and, generally and in a Word, will 'Never at all, by 
myself or otherwise, officiate under my said Deputation. And 
as I have, so I will, in the most effectual Manner I am able, 
apply to the proper Board in England, for a Dismission from 
my said Office. 

J. Ingersoll. 
]N"ew-IIaven, ss. Jan. 8, 1766. 
Then personally appeared Jared Ingersoll, Esq., and made 
Oath to the Truth of the foregoing Declaration, by him sub- 
scribed. Before me, 

DANIEL LYI^IAiq", Just. Peace. 

As to the Letters and Papers which I lately delivered out of 
my Hands, I beg leave to acquaint the Publick that I did 
not expect there would have been any Publications of them 



JAKED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 371 

(especially of any particular detached Sentences) but by me, or 
by mutual Consent; — that those Paragraphs which have lately 
been published in the ISTew-London Gazette, I conceive to be, in 
some Parts, by some Mistake, differently worded from the Orig- 
inals, and commented upon very differently from what I 
imagine would be thought the true Meaning was the whole of all 
my said Letters and Papers published together. This I intend 
shall be done as soon as I shall recover the Papers again ; and 
in the mean Time shall hope the Publick will not undertake to 
make a full Judgment in the Matter. And this I think may 
well be done, as those particular Letters at which Umbrage has 
been taken are recalled; and if, by Mistake or otherwise, any 
Thing was said in them that was liable to a Construction dis- 
favourable to the Colony or to any particular Persons, I shall 
be always ready to put every Thing to rights whenever They 
shall call upon me for that Purpose ; and to prevent all Trouble 
of the Kind for the future, shall take Care to write no Letters 
abroad (until Times are more settled than they now are) with- 
out first shewing them to such Gentlemen as, at this Day, will be 

entirelv confided in. 

J. L 
[From The Connecticut Gazette, January 10, 1766.] 



Letter to the Stamp Commissioners. 

'E: Haven Jan^. 10: 1766 
May it please y' Hon"^. 

Since my last to the Board I have been Obliged to take an 
Oath not to Exercise the Office of Distributer of Stamps for this 
Colony, much for the Reasons & at that kind of Request of y® 
people which has occasioned M^ Oliver & some others to do the 
Like. Tis difficult & I believe needless for me to undertake to 
Explain these things to you. I can only say in general that the 
greatest part of America is at present in a Scituation altogether 
incompatible with the being of any Stamp Offices in it, and 
as it is now absolutely impossible for me in Every view of y® 



372 JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

matter to Officiate in my Office, I have humbly to ask & hope that 
I may be Officially dismissed therefrom. I shall take Care to 
do my utmost to preserve y® Stamp papers Dispatched for this 
Colony, & am 

Y^. Most Ob\ &c 

J. L* 
To the Hon\ Com^ of Stamps 



Letters of Dr. Benjamin Gale. 

Killing-worth 13*'^ Jan^ 1765 [error for 1766] 
Dear S" 

I receiv"^ your Fav'. & the several Packetts Inclos'd just after 
I had return'd from Saybrook whither I went to send some 
Messengers over to the Babel Convention,! some who I judg'd 
might have some Influence to Mitigate their Rage & Folly, viz 
CoP Willard & Cap* Shipman,J the Two Saybrook Members^ — 
beside several Pimps & Smuglers to Gull the Rabble & sift out 
every thing that passes from Head Quarters. I had thoughts of 
going my self but to tell the truth I was both asham'd and 
afraid, asham'd to be seen in the Comp^ of so brainless, thought- 
less, designing, undesigning Rabble, afraid of being included 
with them when they are whipt, for without the Spirit of 
Prophesey I can foretell. Stamp Act Repeal'd or not repeal'd, 
such proceedings will meet with Rubbers in the Head if not the 
Tail. However after the Receipt of your Packet I had gone 
over had I not Previously Engag'd my self for Middletown on 
that very day in an Important Case — however as soon as I 
return will give you the Best Accounts my Embasseudors can 
provide. 

* From the manuscript copy among the Ingersoll papers; published in 
Letters relating to the ^tamj) Act. 

t A meeting of the people of New London County was called to meet in 
Lyme on January 14, to discuss the situation of public affairs. 

t Samuel Willard and John Shipman were the Deputies from Saybrook 
to the last General Assembly. 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-G6. 373 

A more wicked Sceem I think never was on foot in this Colony 
to destroy us. But Quern deus vult perdere prius dementat. 

The Manuscript I mentioned to you is an historical Ace* of 
the several Factions wh. have subsisted in this Colony, originat- 
ing with the IST London Society* — thence metamorphisd into the 
Faction for paper Emissions on Loan, thence into IST Light, into 
y* Susquehannah & Delaware Factions — into Orthodoxy — now 
into Stamp Duty — the Actors the same, each Change drawing 
in some ISTew Members — but it contains such Stubborn Facts & 
will so Blacken some mens Coats that I fear the Author would 
not Long survive the Impression. 

Your private Letters to me will make the Best Improvement 
if I am able to serve your Cause in my occasional Jornies in y* 
Country. I may not at this time add but that 
I am S'^ your frind 

& most Hum^ Serv*. 

B Gale. 

P. S. as I write free by your boy I trust you will not 
Expose it. 
[To 
Jared Ingersol Esq^ 

at 

^ Haven] 



S'^ 



Killingworth 8 Feb^ 1766 



As you requested in y^ Last to me to know the result of the 
Lime Congress, having never before had an Opp'' that I could 
safely venture, I now would Inform, of which no doubt you 
have before this time had Intelligence, that your Letters in the 
general were well appro v'd, or at least that you do not deserve to 
be damn'd for them, & that there still is a day of Grace for you. 
But with regard to the main Business that I sent some over to 

* "The New London Society United for Trade and Commerce" was 
chartered in 1732, but its course in issuing bills of credit resembling the 
paper currency of the Colony caused its downfall in 1733. 



374 JAEED IWGEESOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

penetrate tlie Secret Views of their herding together, I have 
learnt from Good Authority, from those who are in the Secrets 
of the Club, their design is to fix and unite on Men, who they 
conceive will serve their Turn, that the final conclusions are not 
yet made. One of the men I procured to go made Application 
to know what men we should Fix on Westward. It was 
Answer'd, Col^ Walker* was well Qualified. My Agent then pro- 
posed M'^ Rowland,* but was answer'd by a significative Shake 
of y'' Head, which shew'd how Ignorant he was in men & then 
reply'd, no, by no means, M"" Rowland is a man of too much 
Sense, he will not answer by any means, and very readily men- 
tioned M"" Davenport* : to be short, they have taken Measures 
that from their early date & too great Forwardness, will overset 
their System of Politicks. They begin, the more sensible part, 
to be ashamed of the thing. Others see clearly through their 
Designs, & Dispise the thing when it appears to them purls 
naturalibus from a principle of Honesty natural to Humane 
l^ature and I think I can venture to predict that no Alterations 
will happen in y* Council unless the dropping M"" Sheldon for 
Sam^ Johnson. 

I hear you are appointed Judge of Admiralty for Connecticut 
&c — £800 Sallary ; if true I Heartily Congratulate you. 
I am S' 

Your Most Hum\ Serv* 

B. Gale 
[Jared Ingersol Esq'^ 
at 

]^ Haven 
p' M^ Elliot] 

* Elisha Sheldon, of Litchfield, Robert Walker, of Stratford, Abraham 
Davenport, of Stamford, and Samuel William Johnson, of Stratford, were 
elected to the Governor's Council in the following May; David Rowland, 
of Fairfield, was not elected. 



jaeed ingeksoll papers, 1765-66. 375 

Lettee to an Unknown Coerespondent. 

'New Haven Feb'' 1'* 1766 

You will be pleased to take the following Account as an 
Answer to the Objections wich you mention as made to my 
Conduct relative to the Stamp Act. And first as to my being 
y^ Colonies Agent last year, the Facts are these. I sailed from 
N" London for England the 20 Day of October 1764 and 
arrived in London y* 10 of Dec"" following. I went on my own 
Business, and not charged with any affairs of the Colony. 
About the middle of Jan^, & about two or three Weeks, as I 
remember before the Stamp Bill was carried into Parliment, I 
receiv'd a Letter from the Gov'^, acquainting me that the 
Assembly in Oct' (wich must have been after I sailed) had by 
their Vote desired me to assist the Colonies Agent during my 
stay in England. This I did to y® best of my Ability, not only 
in y^ Affair of y® Stamp Act, but in Masons and other Affairs ; 
but as to my haveing receiv'd any Monies or other thing as a 
reward for these Services, there is no foundation for y^ Story. 
I have neither Asked for, had or receiv'd any thing therefor in 
any way or manner whatever. 

There is not in those Letters wich I lately delivered out of 
my Hands one word about a Change of Government is [ ? as] 
lately printed in y^ JST — London Gazette, nor do I therein say 
that y^ Gov'" & four Consellers who Swore him or any other per- 
son in y® Colony are Freinds to y® Stamp A-t, but the contrary 
'as I should construe y* Expressions in my Letters. The Truth 
is that I endeavoured in those Letters to give y* Commissioners 
of Stamps or others to whom I wrote a pretty ample & full ISTar- 
rative of the several Transactions in y* Colony wich were Pub- 
lick, in Order as well to serve myself for not having com- 
ported with my Obligations & Bond of office as to shew to y'' 
People abroad the Quantity or kind of Opposition that was 
made by y^ People of the Colony to the Stamp Act. I thought 
it best & indeed in some measure jSTecessary for me so to do, but 
whether it was altogether prudent for me to do it, or whether I 
did not mistake the Sentiments of some Gentlemen whose Con- 



376 JAEED INGEESOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

duct in certain Transactions I had occasion to mention (tho I 
dont mention any ISTames) I will not undertake to say, and those 
Letters are recalled [and I ?] did freely submit them to such 
alterations as should be candidly advised too. In a Word I 
have the Opinion of Gentlemen of Worth who have seen those 
Letters, that the Pnblick have no Reason to take Umbrage or be 
irritated at anv Thins* I have Said or Wrote in them: at the 
same Time it is not impossible but they & every judicious person 
may think that some Things contained in them had better been 
left out than to have been inserted. They are recalled k what- 
ever harm they might have done had they been transmitted are 
prevented. I shall publish these & all my other Letters lately 
delivered out, as soon as I shall recover them, unless I shall be 
advised to defer it for some little Time. 

I have always Thought & Said on both Sides y^ Water that 
for America to be taxed by a British Parliment was in my 
humble Opinion of dangerous Tendency, however many & 
urgent y* Reasons might be on the side of Parliment to come 
into such a measure ; but after they had done it, I did suppose 
y® People of America would most probably submit to it ; but as 
they have thought best to risque y'^ Consequences of a non Sub- 
mission, & as y" Emergences of Goverment absolutely require 
the Administration of Justice to & among y® People — I cannot 
but be of Opinion that it is best for the common Law Courts to 
proceed in Business as usual, & hope y^ Courts & others who 
may expose themselves to penalties for so doing will be saved 
from blame as well as harm under all the circumstances & sit- 
[ nation of Affairs. 

I myself being now placed at an absolute remove from the 
Affair of Distributor am determined to take my share of danger 
in this matter, and hope when y^ People see me embarked in y® 
same bottom with themselves they will think I am in earnest. 
I am S' 

your most Obedient 

Humble Servant 

J. Ingersol* 

* This letter, without address, is printed from a copy (made by a 
careless scribe) now in the 'Sew York Puilic Library. 



jaeed ingeesoll papers, 1765-66. 377 

Lettees of Joseph Chew. 

]!Tew London Feb"^. 5*^ 1766 
Dear Sir 

Since the Rece*^ of your Letter I have been from home nntill 
yesterday; it came to me so torn & worn that the Contents 
might have been Examined by any Person who had the Least 
Curiosity. I have seen your letters* and am surprised at the 
Clamour they have made; that to M"^ Jackson I Read in all 
Company's at New Port and did not meet with a man but what 
Expressed his Astonishm*. at the Clamour. But now If S''. 
what method do you take or who do you Consult on those matters 
you have lately been ingaged in ? Your letters are discover'd, 
or you mention the Contents — or perhaps they are guessed at. 
A fine Country of Liberty we live in. I have done Every 
thing in my Power to Promote the Remonstrances to the King 
& Palemint for our Relief ; l^ever Showed the Least inclynation 
to Countenance the Stamp Act — nay I defy the Devil & his 
Imps of his own and this world to say I ever dirictly or Indi- 
rictly had or Ever thought of having any thing to do with the 
Act. What is more, have found fault with you for not at once 
giving up the Office ; and will you believe me I am now become 
the attention of the Sons of Liberty who are desired by some of 
their western friends Closely to watch & observe my Actions and 
motions, for that I Carry on a very traterous & wicked Cor- 
respondance with you. This I have from such Persons as the 
truth is not to be questioned. If any Person in this Colony sus- 
pects me and had told me so, I would Convince them, but shall 
Really think it very hard if this Suspicion is set on Foot by 
Strangers who neither know me or the People, and shall think 
mankind worse than I hope they are to give Credit to such 
Reports. I may Perhaps see you one of these days when I shall 
say more ; in the mean time believe me to be D"^ S"^ 

Y' very Hbl Serv* 

Jos Chew 

* Mr. Ingersoll's letters are those published by him in the Connecticut 
Gazette since the last summer. 



378 JAEED INGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

There was no Copys of y'" Letters printed in the IN" London 
Papers. 

[To 
Jared Ingersoll Esq'^ 
IST. Haven] 

Dear Sir 

We just now have the very agreable news from Boston that a 
Ship is arrived there that has Bro*. papers to the 27*^ of Dec'', in 
which is his Majestys Speech to Both Houses of Parliment, 
Very Favourable tis said towards liis American Subjects, that 
Private Letters say the Stamp Act will Certainly be Kepealled 
or Suspended- — no matter which, so we do but get Clear of it. I 
most earnestly pray that these Favourable accounts may Prove 
true. 

I have your Letter of the 10*^. by the last Post. All I know 
of the unjust Suspicions which have been Propagated of my 
being a Friend to the Act is that I am told it has been wrote 
from l^ew York to the Sons of Liberty here that I have Carryed 
on a pernitious and Dangerous Correspondance with you, and 
that great Care should be taken to keep Every thing secret from 
me, or you would be acquainted with it, for that I was surely a 
Friend to the Act or a Tool to Power. Very fine & Cleaver this, 
is it not ? — and what I very Little Expected to be laid to my 
Charge. I am told ]\P Ledlie* saw this Letter, & what I think 
hard is, as I had Let him see those I had from you, that he did 
not at once Contradict the Report which he knows is unjust ; but 
it appears to me in all things of this Sort it seems Kecessary to 
say one thing to a Persons Face and another behind his Back. 
God knows that no man Wishes his Countrys good more than I 
do — and I dare say would go as great Lenghths to serve it as 

• Captain Hugh Ledley, or Ledlie, of Windham, Connecticut, and later 
of Norwich, had previously been a legal client of Mr. Ingersoll; he was 
prominent in the mob which forced Ingersoll's resignation as Stamp- 
Distributor, and was also afterwards sent by the Sons of Liberty in 
Windham to interview Ingersoll respecting his correspondence with 
England. 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 379 

many who are now making a good deal of jSToyse. I dislike 
all Violencies and invasions of private Property &c — neither 
do I believe you had any hand in getting the act Passed, but 
think I can Venture to Assert that you opposed the same with 
all your might & Strength ; nay more, I have .said that I 
thought you was Cruelly used to be abused as you were, that I 
had not the Least objection to your being even Forced to Resign, 
but there I would have stopped and Left you to your Self while 
you had let the Paper lay in the Boxes &c it was Packt up in. I 
propose seeing you one day next week & beg you'll give My Little 
Womans & my own best Respects to good M'^ IngersoU who we 
have often, yes very often thought of. Accept the same from 

Dear Sir 
N London 19*'^ Feb'^ 1766 Your very Obed* Serv* 

Jared IngersoU Esq'" Jos Chew 



Letter of Geist. Gold Selleck Silliman. 

Fairfield March 1^ 1766 
S^ 

Since You suggested to me at ISTew Haven your Thoughts of 
publishing your Letters wrote to be sent Home I have thought 
further of the matter, and therefore take this Oppor*^. to use the 
Freedom to let you know that the more I think of that matter 
the more I am convinced that such Publication can do no Harm, 
either to the Publick, Yourself or the Genf^. mentioned in them, 
but that tis more than probable that it will be of Real Service, 
especially if they are published with such explanatory ISTotes as 
you mentioned to me, for I well know from my own Observa- 
tion, that the General Report that prevails among People makes 
the Contents of them dangerous to the Publick, injurious to the 
Gent'^. who are mentioned in them, and very prejudiciall to 
Yourself, & I suppose that the Publication of them will shew 
that the Contents of them have hitherto been injuriously mis- 
represented. I have communicated the matter to my Father, 
and he thinks that tis probable that such a Publication of them 



380 JAKED IjSTGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

can do no Hurt, but that it may perhaps do good ; this I write 
because I find that my Father intends beyond N. Haven on 
Munday and therefore tis not probable that you will see him. 

Permit me further to say that I think the Publick now have a 
Right to exspect such a Publication of them in Consequence of 
the Encouragement you have given them in a former Publica- 
tion of yours, and also in Point of equal Dealing, for it seems 
not right that a small Number of zealous People in the Col- 
on}^ should have them as long as they please and publish such 
Parts of them as they think proper with their own Comments 
on them, and that a full Publication of them should be sup- 
pressed by means of those very People or rather only one of 
their ISTumber. 

ISTow pray S'' what is the Language of this their Conduct ? is 
it not this ? that they know they have published such things of 
your Letters, that their own Consciences tell them your Letters 
will, when published, shew them to have no other real Founda- 
tion than Malevolence ? if that is the Cause of their desireing a 
Suppression of them, I think it is & ought to be the strongest 
Reason for publishing them. 

I cant but hope from all I can observe that your Troubles 
have now . past their Meridian and that they are upon the 
Decline. I can assure you, S"", I have been concerned for Fear 
that the LTsage you have met with would have thrown you into 
a State of Melancholy, and it hurt me to the Heart in Court 
this Week when I heard the mean & illnatured Language & 
Remarks with which You was used by a Certain Appurtenant 
of the Court ; however I am glad to find you possessed of such a 
Degree of the Christian as well as Philosophic Fortitude as that 
you seem calm and unruffled. Your Friends this w^ay of the 
Steady thinking Sort, which are not a few only, are more at a 
loss to account for your being in your Town Vote & being to all 
Appearance in Earnest to go on wdth Business,* than any thing 
in your Conduct before, because say they Mr. Ingersoll knows 

* A Town Meeting held in New Haven on February 3. 1766, had recom- 
mended the resumption of business by the Courts, and Mr. Ingersoll seems 
to have joined in the Town Vote. 



JAEED INGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 381 

that such a Measure would most certainly be a Cause of the 
Forfeiture of the Charter, &c. I mention not this because I am 
not satisfied with the Reasons that you gave me, but only to let 
you know what some People think. I shall take all Opportuni- 
ties when I hear that matter mentioned to use my Endeavours 
to set the matter in its proper Light you may depend upon it. 
As I think you told me you should not go the Circuit, I should 
be very glad you should improve a leisure hour to communicate 
to me any new Occurrence, or news of Importance from Home 
that may be proper to be communicated, as I exspect you will 
now pretty Certainly soon hear from some of your Friends on 
the other Side the Water. I have no need to subjoin any Cau- 
tion to you that it would do no good to communicate this to any 
one, or that if you write it must be by somebody that you know 
will let me have the Letter. 

I am sir Your sincere Friend and Very Hum^^ Ser^ 

G. Selleck Silliman.* 

P. S. If you publish those Letters be so kind as to contrive 
to let me see them. I had almost forgot to tell you that on 
Tuesday next our Sons of Liberty are to meet to hear your Let- 
ters read I am told : pray how did they get them ? 
[To 

Jared Ingersoll Esq' 

JSTew Haven] 



Letter to the Stamp Commissioners. 

Is^ : Haven 5 March 1766 
May it please Your Hon'^^ 

Since my last I have been hon^. with j^ours of 7*^. of ISTov'^, 
advising of a parcel of Stampt paper N°. 56, shipt for this Col- 

*Grold Sellick Silliman, son of Ebenezer Silliman (Yale 1727), of Fair- 
field, Connecticut (one of the Assistants who administered the oath to 
observe the Stamp Act to Governor Fitch), and father of Professor Ben- 
jamin Silliman, was born in 1732, graduated at Yale in 1752, and died 
in 1790. 



382 JAEED INGEKSOLL PAPEES, 1765-66. 

on J on board Cap*. Chambers, & wbich is arrived, &; I believe 
Lodged in the fort at I^ : York. 

You must have heard of a quantity intended for this Colony, 
how much I cannot tell, being burnt by the Populace at IST: 
York. Every thing remains here, & in the Neighbouring 
Provinces, much as when I wrote you last; for particulars 
must beg leave to refer you to l^ews papers & other general 
information. 

I am 

Y^. Most Obed' 

Humb^ Serv' 

J. IngersolL* 

P. S. I am Informed by a Letter from M''. Theoph^ Bache 
of ]Sr York that the Stampt papers belonging to this Colony that 
were destroyed as above were those sent by Cap^ Haviland.f 
M^ Bache desires there may be no more Consigned to him: — 
indeed no person I believe will receive them at l^ew York nor 
does there appear any prospect that any will be wanted or made 
L^se of here. 

J. I. 
To the Hon^ Commr^ of Stamps 
Copy 



Letter of Bichaed Jackson. 

Temple 22 March 1766 
Dear Sir, 

I received your Letter of ISTov'^. 8z take the Earliest oppor- 
tunity I have had since my receipt of it, to do you the Justice of 
declaring I never did in my life perceive any disposition in you 

* From the Ingersoll manuscripts; published in Letters relating to the 
Stamp Act. 

t The only Connecticut stamps destroyed were these received in the 
Polly, of the alleged value of £1909. Ten bales of parchment, of vrhich 
three were designed for Connecticut, were taken out of the vessel by a mob 
•early in January, 1766, at midnight, in New York harbor, and burnt. 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 383 

to Encourage the passing the Stamp Act, & that Every thing I 
ever heard from yon tended to disswade the passing it, partic- 
ularly at the last interview M'". Franklin, yon & I had with M^ 
Grenville on the Subject, when he heard us give our reasons 
against the Bills being brought in for near two hours. 

As for what passed between M^ Whately & you I am a 
Stranger to it, having never been myself privy to any measures 
taken with respect to that Act, after having formally declined 
giving any other advice on the Subject excepting that I had 
always given, to lay the project aside ; but I took the opportunity 
of asking him upon this Subject in the House the other day, 
when he informed me that what you have said in your Letter is 
in Substance true on this Subject, and if it varies at all it is in 
relating a Circumstance or two no way material. 

I am heartily Sorry for your misfortunes, but flatter myself 
that when the Stamp Act shall be forgot, as I hope it will for 
Ever, the prejudices conceived against you will be forgot too. 

I hope no disputes about Speculative rights will keep up any 
animosities on that Subject, for I sincerely believe that Sober 
moderate men in America who deny the right of Parliament, 
while yet they apply for a repeal of a Law passed by Parlia- 
ment, must mean the same that I understand M'. Pitt to mean 
& that I mean myself, for I conceive they Admit what we call 
the right, by saying Parliament has the power to make the Law. 
I conjecture that when we deny the Expediency & admit the 
right, in England, we admit only that imperial right, that is 
""inseperable from a Supreme Legislature who have it as part of 
their Essence to make that legal that was illegal before; but 
which it is not to be presumed they will do in Cases that must 
be eternally improper, nor even in those that may by possibility 
become proper, unless they should become so. 
I am Jy. S\ 

Y' Most Obed* Humbl Serv*. 
E: J.* 
Copy 

* This letter from Richard Jackson, Esq., of London, to Mr. Ingersoll, 
had already been printed in part in the Connecticut Gazette of June 14, 
before its inclusion in a foot-note in Letters relating to the Stamp-Act. 



384 jared ingersoll papers, 1765-66. 

Preface to and Explanation of Letters Relating to the 

Stamp Act. 

To the Publick.* 

About the beginning of last December, three persons, came to 
me as a Committee from the people called the respectable popu- 
lace, then lately assembled at Windham, and acquainted me that 
those people had received information of my having then lately 
wrote Letters to the Commissioners of Stamps & others in Eng- 
land (naming to me the persons to whom I had wrote) in which 
Letters, they were told, I had advised to take away the Jurisdic- 
tion of Admiralty Courts & some two or three other matters 
from the Stamp Act, and then to inforce the same. Urging to 
have the same Crammed down, with assurances that the people 
would receive it, and the like. They let me know that those 
people were Extremely enraged at this intelligence and that it 
was with difficulty they (the Com*^.) had obtained leave to 
come & give me an oportunity of clearing up this matter and 
which they intimated they thought could not well be done, with- 
out my giving out Copies of those Letters. They said they did 
not come to demand them of me, but that they could not answer 
for consequences if I should refuse to do it, as some of the peo- 
ple talkt in a Strain which I do not choose to repeat — and 
from the Story & Circumstances of the intelligence which had 
been received, tho far from being true, I did then think my 
Letters had been intercepted. 

I let the Gentlemen know that the report of what I had 
wrote was not true ; Observed to them that it was very Extra- 
ordinary for me to be Obliged to Expose my private Letters, or 
to take the chance of Consequences from an exasperated people 
at a time when their resentments bordered so nearly on open 
violence, and all from meer Suggestion & hearsay; however, I 
immediately had recourse to the Copies of those Letters & read 

* This Preface to the Letters relating to the Stamp-Act, as well as an 
explanatory statement (introductory to Mr. Ingersoll's letters of Novem- 
ber, 1765) inserted in the text of the same pamphlet, is here printed from 
the manuscript draft; the date (June 2, 1766) was altered to June 15 
on publication. 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 385 

those paragraphs to which the Story seemed to have relation, 
with which the Gentlemen appeared to be Satisfied. 

I therenpon concluded (this was over night) to draw Copies 
of those paragraphs only, together with some minutes I should 
make & give to them ; accordingly the next morning one of the 
Com*'''^. came & I gave him such Copies & minutes. He said on 
further thought he very much feared the people would not be 
asswaged without full Copies of Every thing Except what 
might relate to private affairs, & repeated to me the temper the 
people were in & the Language some of them used. Much dis- 
course was had between us upon the Subject. On the whole I 
read to him the whole of the Letters I had then lately sent away 
& askt him whether he thought the people would be more or less 
Exasperated by knowing what they contained. He said he 
believed the Letters would have a favourable Effect and advised 
me as a friend to suffer this Com***, to take the Copies & added 
that he believed if they were shewn to some of the principle peo- 
ple they might be kept from a publick reading as the body of the 
people would most likely be satisfyed with what they should be 
able to inform them about the same. The other two Com*'^. also 
coming in heard them read & Expressed themselves much in the 
same manner. 

Upon this I delivered out to them those & all my other letters 
of Correspondence about the Stamp Act from the beginning, 
together with a Copy of my bond of Office that so one thing- 
might serve to Explain another. 

_ When this Com*^ returned to Windham the peoples Expecta- 
tions & impatience I am told were so great that nothing short of 
the publick reading of my Letters would answer. This occa- 
sioned another & another such reading, until I found they had 
been made known not only to many thousands in this Colony, 
but to many persons in higher as well as lower Stations in 
jSTeighbouring Provinces, and that one Compleat Copy had 
been taken & certain pretended Extracts, taken upon memory or 
otherwise, given out, so very deficient & to my Apprehension so 
different from the true meaning of the original Letters them- 
selves, that I found myself under a is^ecessity of promising the 
13 



386 JAEED IXGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765—66. 

Publick tliat as soon as I should recover the Letters I would 
publish the whole. This has been delayed hitherto upon the 
Advice of one of the persons principally concerned in obtaining 
these Letters of me. Indeed the peoples Spirits were in such a 
ferment while we continued in a State of Suspense with regard 
to y^ repeal of the Stamp Act that I feared a publication of them 
would answer no good purpose & perhaps might give Occasion 
for further Crimination as to me ; but now as we are favoured 
with undoubted intelligence of its total repeal, I think I cannot 
fairly Excuse myself from fullfilling my promise to the Pub- 
lick in this particular. 

I expect very different Judgments will be passed upon these 
Letters by different persons according to their different preju- 
dices, passions and inclinations, as I find has been the Case. It 
must however be owned by all to be a peculiarly hard Case to be 
under such kind of Necessity as I have before described of 
Exposing to the world my most Secret thoughts & those con- 
ceived (in the later Letters) in a Scituation the most perplexed 
with complicated difficulty A: the most distressed that can well be 
imagined. The Extraordinary & peculiar Circumstances of the 
times must be the only Excuse on all sides. I shall therefore 
hope for as much Candor as the nature & Circumstances of the 
Case will admit of. 

The whole of these Letters are now offered to the publick 
view, & however little they may avail me as to my own private 
Caracter & reputation, yet as they contain, with the ISTotes 
annexed, a short history of the rise, progress & Ending of the 
Memorable Stamp Act, I cannot but hope they will afford some 
profitable Amusement to many persons in this Colony who from 
their Scituation have not been under Advantages of knowing all 
that has passed with regard to it, and that they may receive 
some helps from them in Solving & Explaining some pieces of 
publick Conduct which have been so much the Objects of Atten- 
tion of late. 

I think in times of general Commotion the people have a 
right to know the general Outlines at least of that Conduct in 
any of their Members which may be supposed any way mate- 



JAKED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 387 

riallj to affect them. This I mean to apply to my self more 
especially only while I am Endeavouring to apologize for my 
own Conduct; I shall have occasion to take l!^otice of that of 
some others incidentally only & as the same relates to my own. 
I hope no Offence will be taken by any. I mean not this 
Step to furnish new matter for popular disputation & Animos- 
ity, but as a fulfilment of my Obligations & with a view to 
satisfy & quiet honest minds who are desirous of knowing the 
truth in these matters, and as the finishing Act to that Scene of 
trouble which the Stamp Act has Occasioned to me as well as 
to many others. 



:N': Haven June 2: 1766 



J: IngersoU 



Before I proceed to the other letters I beg leave to observe a 
few things with regard to my office of Distributer of Stamps and 
the obligations of it, as there is nothing perhaps in this whole 
affair that has been less attended to or less understood. The 
Common opinion seems to have been, that I should immediately 
have resigned the office as soon as I saw the temper the Country 
was in upon my arrival from England, whereas, in my humble 
opinion, it was absolutely impossible in the nature of things 
that I should make such resignation, & would have been 
Extremely hazardous to my oflice bond to have attempted it, 
^nd that for the following reasons. It is well known that I was 
in England when I was appointed to this office ; I accepted it by 
my own Act ; undertook the trust, and gave bond at the Stamp 
office in the Sum of £3000. Sterl : for a due fulfilment of it, 
with two Sureties resident in London to whom I also gave my 
own bond of indemnification — the Condition of which office 
bond, among other things, is as follows : — 

"Whereas the above bound Jared Tngersoll is nominated and 
appointed Chief Distributer of Stampt Vellum, parchment k 
paper within the Colony of Connecticut, in America ; and as 
such is intrusted and Employed to furnish &; supply the said 
Colony with Stampt Vellum, &:c. and to collect & receive Sev- 



388 JAKED IXGKRSOLL PAPERS, 1765—66. 

eral Duties, penalties 6: forfeitures bv virtue & in Execution of 
the powers iS: directions contained in an Act of Parliament 
made, Arc. The Condition therefore of this obligation is such, 
that if the said Jared Ingersoll or his Deputies, (Src. shall well & 
truly Collect, recover <S: receive all «l*c Everv Sum & Sums of 
money, which shall arise (fc become due of & for the several and 
respective Duties &: penalties or forfeitures mentioned in the 
said Act of Parliament, 6:c." Then reciting many other par- 
ticulars of the duty of the office, says, ''And also if the said 
Jared Ingersoll shall dt do well, faithfully tk: truly observe, obey, 
perform <fc Execute as well all «t every the matters and things 
which are enacted and required to be by him done & performed 
in & by the said Act of Parliament, as also all & every such 
Eules, methods, orders and Instructions as he the said Jared 
Ingersoll shall from time to time receive, kc ; and also if he the 
said Jared Ingersoll shall and do well, faithfully »S: duly Exer- 
cise, Execute cC perform the said office and all »Sc every the mat- 
ters and things touching or concerning the same, which he 
ought to do «fc perform by virtue thereof, according to the several 
trusts reposed in him by the said Act, then (tc.'' Xow it 
appears most plainly from the words of my bond tt indeed from 
the very nature of the trust, that my business was to furnish the 
people of this Colony with the Stamp paper in order to the 
raising a revenue to the Crown, and had I by my own Act 
defeated these ends I should most undoubtedly been Judged 
guilty of the most gross infidelity of office. Again, there is no 
such thing, I conceive, as resigning an Office in any Case but to 
those who Created the office or to such as are lawfully author- 
ised and impowered to receive such resignation. Persons, I 
know, may say they wont Execute their offices & so break their 
trust k incur all the penal Consequences of such a Step, but they 
cannot to any effect or purpose say they resign, except to those 
who have power to appoint others in their room. 'Twas doubt- 
less with me just as it would have been with a Sheriff, should he 
refuse to serve a Avrit when tendred to him »t think to Excuse 
himself by saying he resigned his office, when perhaps the Gov'". 
«& Council who appointed him were a hundred miles of. The 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1705-60. 389 

same with a Custom house Officer, should he refuse to enter & 
clear vessells upon that pretence & the like. This is so plain a 
Case that no one ever doubted it before. I could have vv^rote 
home to Euiiland, I know, for a dismission from my office, there 
resigned, »S: been clear of it ; but must have been considered as 
the appointed officer & act as such in the mean time & until I 
was succeeded by some other, & which must necessarily have 
taken up many months time, «S: when it was done would not 
have answered the peoples End. 

Tis true I told the Gov''. Early after my coming home and 
several of the Council and indeed Declared publickly, that in 
case the General Assembly & body of the people should conclude 
not to Submit to the Stamp Act, but to go abreast the same, that 
in that case I should not take any Steps in my office, for in that 
case there would be an End of the principal part of my busi- 
ness (viz ) that of Collecting a Revenue by the Sale of the Stamp 
papers ; and as for the other part, that of collecting such rev- 
enue by the fines and forfeitures that would be incurrd, as there 
would not be any need of any Steps being taken to that End 
immediately, I certainly should have wrote home and insisted 
upon a dismission from my office. 

Perhaps it will be said, upon my own principles it was best, 
as I could not resign voluntarily, to force me to a promise not 
to introduce the Stamp papers, & by every means to prevent 
their being brought into the Colony, least they should get into 
Use among the people. As to that I have nothing to say ; all I 
contend for is that while the people were tieing my hands in 
that matter, for the general good, as they supposed, that they 
would let me at least Endeavour to keep Em at liberty, in order 
to save my fidelity to the King, whose Servant in office I was, & 
my Interest which was so bound <S: fettered by my office bond. 
"What I here said therefore I M^ould apply to the general tenor & 
Spirit of the Ensuing Letters, which some have thought do not 
sufficiently Comport with my Weathersfield resignation, as it is 
called. It is very well known that in my printed account of 
that matter published soon after it happened, I never took the 
merit of a Voluntary resignation. I always knew, at least 



v^ 



390 JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-68. 

thought, I was not at liberty to make any such Sacrifice. I 
knew that all the Stamp papers Consigned to my Care to the 
Value of thousands of pounds Sterling were Charged^to my 
Acc°., those that were burnt at X: York as well as the others, 
which Account is yet open &: to be settled as I am advised by 
letters from the Comm'^. of Stamps ; that I was Expressly 
Ordered by printed instructions received long since to receive 
& to transmit a Receipt for those very papers — & by my bond 
to distribute them ; every one of which orders and Obligations 
I had failed of complying with. I knew it would not do to say 

/ merely that I would not obey these orders ; I must say I could 
not, & I must also tell how & why I could not. I did not think 
it would be sufficient merely to Inform that a Mob had 
obliged me to promise I would not, when the Assembly had 
isued a proclamation treating those people as rioters, & the 
people I was writing to might naturally think the Publick had 
interposed, & by punishing the Mob (as they to be sure would 
Consider it) had freed me from my restraints, & that the body 
of the people stood ready to receive the Stampt papers. I must 
therefore acquaint them that the Publick themselves, by the 
time I wrote, did not seem inclined to do any thing toward 
freeing me from those restraints ; in short I found it necessary, 

^ I thought, to acquaint the people I was writing to, generally, 
with the publick as well as particular transactions which related 
to the Stamp Act, as they all tended to the principal point of 
Excusing me for my !N"eglects of Office, in doing which however I 
told of nothing but what was as publick as I^ewspapers could 
make it, & yet would be Expected officially from me ; nor do I 
mention a Circumstance which might give Umbrage without giv- 
ing at the same time the reason of the Step. If some of the Coun- 
cil refuse to swear y^ Gov*"., tis not left to be guessed to proceed 
from Caprice or humour, but is alledged to be from principles of 
Conscience ; — and if it is said no Steps had been taken to pun- 
ish those people who obtain*^ my afores"^ resignation, it is added, 
that it would be dangerous to attempt it ; & the like. 

Again, some have blamed me for Seeming to keep Sight of 
my office, after the Weathersfield affair. To this I beg leave to 



JAKED INGEESOLL, PAPERS, 1765-66. 391 

say in the first place I was really afraid least it should be 
thought, on tother side the water, that I was secretly Consent- 
ing to be forced out of it, & so betraying my trust, and further, 
as I told the people at Weathersfield, altho I could very freely 
part wth the office, if by that means we should get rid of the 
Stamp Act itself, yet if that Step should serve no other purpose 
than only to Oust me of the office in order to be filled by 
another, I should not very well like it. I therefore in these 
Letters stated the whole of my Situation and left it with my 
Employers & my friends, to whom I wrote, to do and to advise 
what they should think ought to be done & what in honour I 
might do, taking this one thing all along into the Account, that 
I could not be willing to Exercise the office, unless the people 
should generally Conclude to Submit to the Stamp Act, and cer- 
tainly Volenti non fit injuria. 

But I will no longer detain the Eeader from the Letters 
themselves, only desire if any shall be disposed to find fault, 
that they will place themselves as in my Situation, in the first 
place conscious of having faithfully, to the Utmost of my power, 
opposed the passing the Stamp Act; then loaded with infinite 
reproach for having taken an office under it, and which I took 
thinking it might be even agreeable to the people under all the 
Circumstances to have me take it; then to have my bond & 
interests involved, intangled & Exposed, by at least a very 
unusual & Extraordinary Step ; and then ask themselves fairly, 
whether they think they should have done much better than 
I did. 



Letter to Goverjstoe Mooee^ of 'Nfav Yoek. 

:NT: Haven 14 July 1766 
Sir 

I have received orders from the Com", of Stamps, to Ship to 
them all the Stampt Parchment & paper which has been Con- 
signed to me — they also intimate that it is Expected Orders will 
come from the Lords Comm^ of the Admiralty, for the Ships of 



392 JARED UNTGEESOLL PAPERS, 1765-66, 

war returning home to take on board and Carry the Same to 
England, and Accordingly direct me to Apply to the' Com- 
manders of Such Ships to receive all Such as I have in my Cus- 
tody or power. 

As I have been Obliged, during the late troubles, to Desire 
Your Excellency, And before your Arrival, Leu*. Gov'' Golden 
to receive into the fort at I^. York & there keep until further 
Orders, whatever Stamps Should come consigned to me that 
way, and as I live remote from where any Ships of war are Sta- 
tioned, I have to Ask the favour of Your Excellency to Order 
to be put on board any Such returning Ship, all and any Boxes 
or parcels of Stampt parchment or papers which You shall have 
in your Custody or power which Shall appear to be directed and 
Consigned to me that So the Same may be Carried back to the 
Stamp Office in London agreeable to the before mentioned 
Orders from that Board — -A particular Acc°, of which boxes 
with their numbers You will be So good as to take and favour 
me with. 

The Common ISTecessity & peculiarity of the times will I hope, 
plead my Excuse for giving your Excellency this further trouble 
I am 
Y" Excellencys Most Obed*. 
& ]\rost Humb" Serv*. 
Jared Ingersoll 
S"^ H. Moore.* 



Letters of Rev. I^eiiemiah STRO^^G. 

Sir 

Complements paid &c. Am Enformed that my Antagonist 

Mr B r has fled his Countrey — that what Estate he has left 

is on a Slippery Bottom. This therefore waits on you with my 
Desire you would by no means fail to take y^ most Effectual 
Method for my Security, by Attaching (if need he) his Hous- 

* This letter, addressed to the Governor of the Province of New York, is 
copied from a copy in the Library of Congress, — the original being in the 
British Museum. 



JAKED INGERSOI.L PAPERS, 17G5-GG. 393 

hold furniture, or some other Part of his Estate, if it can be 
done, and you think it adviseable. 

His Wife I am indeed Sensible can be no otherwise than in a 
forlorn State of wretchedness ; and would be more So Should I 
deprive her of her things ; I have indeed no desire to add to her 
wretchedness for the Sake of Increasing her misery. Her mis- 
ery is her own, not mine ; must thank her Self not me for y** 
whole, but know she must, that her own degenerate & perfidious 
Conduct to me which has renderd her the Scandal of her Sex, 
and Shamefully dishonourd me, can now lay no Claim to my 
Compassion to her Misery, or Influence me to use any forbear- 
ance towards her ; So but that I can & Shall from a Sense of my 
own honour and Interest Spare no pains so that I can but recover 
from her that part of my Estate which by her Treasonable Con- 
duct She has deprived me of and Injuriously Detains from me, 
Let the Consequence to her be what it will. 

Must Therefore, Sir, in a word beg leave to desire you to pro- 
ceed on with y'^ Same Attention and Vigour, which you would 

do was Mr B r present & under affluent Circumstances. 

I am. 
Sir, 

with much respect your 
very humble Ser*. 

X. Strong.* 
Turkey Hills in Simsbury 

Octo\ 1 : 1765 
To Jared Ingersoll Esq'". 

* Xehemiah Strong (born 1729, died 1807) was graduated at Yale in 
1755, and after studying divinity in New Haven became a tutor in the 
College. In November, 1760, just as he left the tutorship, he married here 
Lydia Smith, whose husband. Andrew Burr. Jr.. from whom she had 
obtained a divorce for desertion in 1759. afterwards reappeared, and 
secured an annulment of the divorce in May, 1761. 

ileantime Mr. Strong had been settled as pastor of the congregation in 
Turkey Hills (noAV East Granby), Simsbury, Connecticut. The debts and 
lawsuits in which he became involved in consequence of his domestic 
troubles, brouglit about the termination of his ministerial career. Subse- 
quently, from 1770 to 1781, he filled the Professorship of Mathematics and 
Natural Philosophy in Yale College. 



394: JAKED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1765-66. 

Sir \ 

After propper Salutations, I present you with my Desire 
that you would not fail to do the best you can for me at y*^ Supe- 
rior Court in February next, if any there shall be, in the Affair 
of Mr Burr : I shall not be present my self, to agitate any thing 
in the affair, must Leave it with your Self to Carry thro the 
whole with as much Vigour as if I was upon the Spot to Stim- 
ulate &c. Be so good Sir, as to Take all the Advantage that is 
Reasonable of his absense. Perhaps Mr Johnson may be 
Engagd on my Side; act in that as your wisdom shall direct. 
If I should recover, you will be so good as to Isue out Execution 
forthwith ; you know what I have Sufferd by Delays heretofore. 
Let not any Calamity or poverty of the woman prevent the full 
force of the Execution. If I should not Recover I shall without 
Doubt Carry the Affair to the Assembly in May. I am. Sir, 
With much Respect 

Your very humble Servant 

]!^ehemiah Strong 

P. S. be so good as not to let the Tryal be put off if you can 
prosecute it. 

Turkey Hills in Simsbury, 
Jan 1S'\ 1766. 

To Jared Ingersoll Esq"". 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1766-69. 395 



IV. ^Ew Havex, 1Y66-1769 

In compensation for his treatment as Stamp-Master, Mr. 
Ingersoll received in 1769 a commission as Judge of the new 
Vice-Admiralty Court for I^ew York, Pennsylvania, Mary- 
land and Virginia, with headquarters in Philadelphia, on an 
annual salary of £600. 

A few documents are given herewith in illustration of his 
life during the period from the episode of the Stamp Act to his 
assumption of judicial duties in Philadelphia. 



Letter to Richard Jackson. 

1ST Haven 18 Aug*. 1766 

this waits on you Solely on the Subject of the Indian bene- 
faction which you was so good as to mention to me when last 
with you. Enquiry has been made into the State of the Indians 
near Kent in this Colony. They appear to be under the Care of 
a Moravian Teacher, & from some Connections formed between 
them and that Interest, I find whatever monies shall be sup- 
plied to their benefit must be under the direction of the Mora- 
vian Benefactors* ; so that our Clergy do not seem to be 
inclined at present to solicit your bounty [ ? ] for them. As to 
those of the Monhegan Tribe near ITorwich I have not as yet 
been able to learn any thing particular about them. The State 
of this Country of late you will easily conceive has very much 
retarded Enquiries of this kind, & indeed Every kind of bus- 
iness. 

the Rev*^. M''. Eleaz''. Wheelock, jMinister of a Parish in Leb- 
anon in this Colony, has been for some time Engaged in a plan 
of Gospelizing the Indian Natives upon our Western frontier & 

* See a valuable account of the Moravians in the Housatonic Valley, by 
the Eev. William G. AndreAvs, in the American Church Revieto, vol. 32, 
pp. 194-211, 264-87. 



396 JABED INGEKSOLL PAPEES, 1766-69. 

1 

Elsewhere. This he does by getting the Youth of those Tribes 
to come & be educated ^t a School he has set up for that End at 
Lebanon afores*^ & when properly Instructed and qualifved he 
sends them out among those people as Preachers <fc some I 
believe as Schoolmasters. Some English Instructors are also 
sent among them. In this way tis generally thought this Gen- 
tleman has had real Success. He is w^ell known & among all 
denominations among us is reputed to be a person of unspotted 
Caracter, truly Zealous &■ most heartily Engaged in this Cause, 
and has so recommended the same that it has been & now is 
patronized by a Society in Scotland, I think — the name of 
which I have forgot, — &: is also favourably thought of & helpt in 
some little degree, according to their ability, by the people of 
this Colony. This being the Case, ]\P Wheelock, as well as 
other Gentlemen, think it would be happy & most for that 
Interest which the institution of your Society was intended to 
Answer, for the benefaction which you mentioned to me to be 
Extended to this School. M'" Whitaker, a Clergyman belong- 
ing to J^orwich in this Colony & Connected with this School, is 
now in England with an Indian Preacher Educated by M'". 
Wheelock, to whom & to M''. Wheelock, both of whose Veracity 
you may Rely upon, I must Refer you for many particulars 
which I am not fully acquainted with, both with relation to the 
plan of this Institution &: the Execution of it, & will only add 
that as things appear to me, the Extending the Charity to this 
School will most likely answer great & very Valuable purposes, 
tt as great &: as valuable ones as any that may be Expected from 
an Application of it to any other School or plan of Instruction 
of the kind, in these parts. 

I am S'' 

Y' most Ob* (Src 

J. I. 

To R. Jackson Esq'. 
Copy 



jaked ingersoll papers, 1766-g9. 397 

Letter of Richard Jacksox. 

15 I^ov' 176G 
Dear Sir 

I cannot avoid troubling- you with a Letter tlioiigh I have 
heard but once from von since your Arrival in Connecticut, & 
though I have long since answered that Letter. Possibly that 
Answer might not reach you ; if it did I hope you have not been 
prevented by Illness from writing, for I am sensible, & shall 
always bear Testimony that whatever Connection you have 
unwillingly had with y^ Stamp Act, you have done real services 
to your Country while you were here. 

It is partly in hopes of hearing of my farm in Kent, that I 
now write to you. I have heard nothing of ]\P Elliot, of my 
Crop of Wheat, or of y® Inclosure or further Improvements on 
the farm, since I remitted the sum of 100^ thither. 

The Ministry is now such that America can never hope for a 
better ; should there be a Change it must be for the worse. 

Many important Projects are on the Anvil, some regard 
America. I hope the dumber of Troops will be reduced. I 
have always thought that iS'umber unnecessarily large ; pos- 
sibly there may be an Application to y® Colonies for somewhat 
to maintain y*^ Rest of them after y*^ present American Rev- 
enue has been first applied. 
I am Sir 

Y' most Obed^ hble Serv* 
R Jackson 



Letters of James Parker. 

Xew York, Feb 10, 1767 
Sir, 

Your Favour of the 14*"^. I received last night, as also one 
from M^ jSTathan Beers of JSTew Haven, offering to take the 
Office,* and pleading that the Posts put up there always, and it 

* The postmastership of New Haven, which had been hehl since 1765 by 
Benjamin Mecom, a nephew of Dr. Franklin and publisher of The Connect- 
icut Gazette. Luke Babcock (Yale 1755) received the appointment about 
March 1, 1767. 



398 JAKED IIv'GEESOLL PAPEES, 1766-69. \ 

would be most convenient for them : — I confess I have no Objec- 
tion to Mr Green, yet I am a little afraid that Tf Franklin 
won't like him : from a Prepossession against M"" Green's Uncle, 
Jonas Green of Annapolis, who had the Post Office many Years, 
and never would duly account for it: so that the D'" was 
obliged to displace him: Altho' I can't see why he should be 
thought unfit because his Uncle did not behave well in it. I 
seem to like M'' Green very well, and yet I fear my Constitu- 
ents will not. However, as you may know more of M'" Beers, I 
will delay till I hear from you again, and will determine upon 
which you shall think most proper ; for as there is a Bond to be 
given for due Performance, I fancy Beers the most substan- 
tial. — Yet I could rather Green, if my own Sentiment were to 
preponderate, but I would please my Masters rather. Indeed 
let who will have it, it can only be a Verbal Appointment yet 
because M'' Foxcroft* is gone to Virginia, and I must write to 
him for a Commission, — tho' he will send it to whom I request. 

If it would not be too much Trouble to you, I would ask this 
Favour of you : — I claim a small Lot of Ground there near the 
College, which D'' Franklin bought of M"' Mix and which I 
bought of D"^ Franklin, t There is no Building on it, as I know 
of; but I am told, one Munson occupies it, without either Leave, 
Liberty, or paying me any Thing for : which is a Practice I 
don't understand: and Mecom is such a Stupid Wretch, that I 
can get no Account of it from him. ISTow, The Favour is to beg 
you to enquire about it, and to let it out for me, if others must 
use it, for Some Rent : It cost me I think 90 Dollars in Cash. 

Holtt never will account with any if he can help it, — unless 
they are in his Debt ; but if 'tis needful I have got his Original 

* John Foxcroft had succeeded William Hunter as Franklin's associate 
in the Postmaster-ojeneral's office. 

t On the present College square, facing College street, just north of 
Phelps Gate. 

I John Holt (born in Virginia in 1726, died in New York in 1784) 
married a sister of Colonel William Hunter (see above, p. 305). From 
1755 he was associated with the writer as publisher and editor of the 
Connecticut Gazette, being also at the same time postmaster of New 
Haven, until in 1760 he removed to New York. 



JARED INGEESOLL PAPERS, 1700-09. 399 

Post-Office Books, but they are a good deal defaced with marks. 
Those were during his Time ; and Green's Accounts were deliv- 
ered in by himself Sworn to, and Holt received the Money, as M' 
Green says, so that I see no Reason for such Delays. M'' Fox- 
croft and D'' Franklin of their own Accord allowed him all the 
Letters he ought to be allowed for, and how the Auditors can 
allow him more, is what I can't see : but I have no Business to 
judge in the Matter: — only I suffer all this while: tho' I have 
had Writs out for Holt these Six Months, yet I can't take him. — 
I think he has wronged me much: But Injuries is what I have 
been so used to, that I must be patient. Doubtless others have 
their Share at Times also. With all Eespects remain 

Uour most obedient Serv*^ 



To Jared Ingersol, Esq'' 



James Parker 



Xew York, March 16, 1767. 



Sir, 

Your kind Interposition and Enquiry about the Lot of 
Ground, demands my best Thanks : — I am quite willing you 
should nominate two indifferent Persons to Value what he 
ought to pay me for the Tirhe he has had it, and for the Year to 
come : — I never could get any Thing out of Mecom about it : but 
that one Munson had it, but no Offers or Proposals of any 
Kind. — I suppose, according to Law I could not sell it, tho' 
I paid 90 Dollars for it about 10 Years ago : — The Case being 
thus, M?" Franklin bought it of M'' Mix, and tis recorded in his 
ISTame: but when he sold it to me, not having Opportunity to 
make a Conveyance suitable to your Country, I have only his 
Acknowledgement in his own Writing, on the back of his Orig- 
inal Deed, that he had received the full Sum, and promised to 
make me a Conveyance as soon as an Opportunity offered : — But 
that Time is not yet come ; altho' the Right is really mine.— I 
hope he will return this Spring, and such Opportunity may be 
had : — If it shall be found that indifferent Persons, shall think 
it worth any Thing worth While, he may probably continue in 



400 JAEED IXGERSOLL TAPEES^ 1766-69. 

the Occupation of it : but if not, I must try to see if others 
won't give more. — You'll please to settle it as soon as you can 
conveniently : and if I can satisfy you for y* Trouble I shall be 
pleased — I am glad the Appointment of M'' Babcock is agreeable 
to you, because I know it will be agreeable to D'' Franklin : — 
With respectful Compliments remain 

Your most obliged Ser* 

James Parker* 
[For 
Jared Ingersoll. Esq'" 
at 
]^ew Haven 
Free J Parker] 



New York April 6, 1767 
Sir, 

If any Thing can be done in the following Case, whatever 
shall be the usual Cost shall gladly see it paid. 

You know a little, that M' Holt carried on printing in the 
ISTame of me & Comp. both at New-Haven & New- York : which 
naturally implied I had some Concern in it : but notwithstand- 
ing my often repeated Demands, I never could get any Settle- 
ment or Account of him ; nor of M"" Green, tho' I am told 
Green has accounted with Holt, whilst I had as much Right to it 
as Holt: I apprehend from that Partnership I have much 
due, exclusive of my attaching the Tools on Col. Hunter's 
Account: — Also exclusive of that, I have Holt's Bond, for 320£ 
York ]\[oney now five Years on Interest : — Besides this Bond I 
apprehend a Considerable Sum is due to me : but what I can- 
not say for want of a Settlement — Holt having had many Goods 
of me, and I some Payment of him; but nothing on that 
Bond : — I have tried every possible Means I knew of to get him 
to a Settlement, but he eludes it continually. — I have had two 
Writs out for him, — one on that Bond, and one on an Assumpsit 

* This letter and the two following letters are from the manuscripts in 
Yale University Library. 



JAKED INGERSOLL PAPEKS, ITOO-OO. 401 

Account, now above 6 Months, — twice returned No7i est, and 
y*^ third likely to be so, he having secreted himself and kept 
close : — I yesterday heard he was gone privately to Xew Haven, 
I suppose to have the Post-OflKce Affair finished, at least I hope 
it will be : ^ow the Intent of this is, to beg of you to know, if 
he could be arrested there or not by me, and if he could be, 
would you do it before he returns : whatever Power is necessary 
for me to give in the Case, I hereby give, and will give any other 
Form that shall be lawful and will prosecute the Bond there : — 
possibly he may find Bail there, and if he does, I may have a 
Chance of my Money, or if he goes to Jail, he may then find 
Time to settle the Account, which is the chief Thing I want : 
for if he will settle Accounts, and give me Security for the Bal- 
lance, even if his own Bond & Judgment, then I will drop the 
Actions, and pay all the Charges, at least all such as I ought to 
pay: — I suppose he will return here as soon as possible, so 
should be glad he could be arrested while there: — if he escapes 
from there, I must still try to take him here, — or if he can't be 
arrested there: — but if he is arrested there, I can drop the 
Actions here on losing the Costs, which I would gladly do, to 
get a Settlement of him :— I want ]S"othing but strict Justice of 
him ; tlio' my Conduct to him, might have intitled me to that and 
some gTatitude with an honest Heart, but however smooth or 
placid his Behaviour is outwardly, he certainly acts like a 
deceitful Knave and Villain to me : — However every Man ought 
to have Justice, and I desire no more. You will doubtless know 
if he be there, and whether any Thing can be done for me, for 
which all legal Demands shall be satisfied by S^ 

Your very Humble Ser* 

James Parker. 
[For 
Jared Ingersoll, Esq^ 
at 
ISTew-Haven 
Free J Parker] 



402 JAKED INGERSOLL PAPEES, 1766-69. 

Xew York, June 24, 1767. 
Sir, 

Yours of the 20*^ per Post I duly received : I am quite obliged 
to you for your Kindness in relation to that Lot of Land : — It 
not only cost me 90 Dollars, but I paid Interest for that Sum for 
it to ]\r Franklin about seven Years, as well as for One Half the 
Printing llaterials and all the Books and Stationary I had 
there : and which the Dishonesty of Holt has deprived me of 
any Peturn : — The Lot is paid for : and tho' I am not fond of 
keeping it, I think it never shall go from me if I can help it, 
under the first Cost : — I trust as I have weathered sundry Diffi- 
culties, I shall this also : 

]\P Foxcroft writes me, he expects I must go up to ITew 
Haven, to be an Evidence in Holt's Affair: for which Reason he 
says he has or will write to you : to know when it will be a 
proper Time, and that the Auditors can meet. — I am properly 
interested in Holt's Behalf ; because one Half of what is allowed 
to him, is my Right : — Yet it seems M"" Foxcroft will have my 
Evidence and I must go when you think it proper. — then I will 
shew you all the Title I have to that Lot; Mean while I am 
respectfully 

Your obliged Serv* 

James Parker 
[For 

Jared Ingersoll, Esq^ 

@ 

'Nevr Haven 
Free J Parker] 



Letter of Richard Jackson. 

20 feF 1767 
Dear Sir 

I received both your Letters from ]\P Johnson* who seems, 

from the little I have seen of him, a very sensible & a very wor- 

* Wm. Sarai. Johnson (Yale 1744) was at this date in London on Colony 
business. 



JARED IXGERSOLT. PAPERS^ 1766-60. -iOS 

thj Man ; to morrow, we shall dine at the Speakers,* who you 
know to be a sincere friend of the Colonies. I shall serve the 
College as much as I am able, & M'^ Johnson^ Address may 
when he comes to be known procure them something, but I dare 
promise for nothing. Somewhat for y^ Benefit of the College I 
intend hereafter, but even that depends on Casualties. I 
heartily wish you may meet with a proper Token of Regard 
from Gov* here. I will do what I can to promote it, but am I 
confess uncertain as yet on that point. I have the honour of 
being known, & that too on Terms of Friendship to almost all 
the Administration, but .cannot yet discover, either how long 
their Power is to continue nor what plan will be adopted in 
America that will open you a Door. I have indeed already 
proposed somewhat beneficial for Gov' Fitchjf & if he sh*^ not 
accept, for you, if it sh*^ take place; but I am not at liberty to / 
disclose what this is, nor can I tell when it will take place, nor 
whether it will take place at all, nor even whether there will be 
room either for M'' Fitch or yourself; all that I can say now is 
that it will not be, I believe, disagreable to any body in 
America. 

Should ]\r Grenville again come into Administration, which 
many People think he will soon, I shall ask him for no favour 
either for myself or any other Person, but you will have an 
Interest with him through . Whately, who I believe sincerely 
wishes to serve you, & their Plans may better admit it, than 

those of my friends 

I am Dear Sir 

Y' most Obed' h^'^ Serv* 

R Jackson 

*The Speaker of the House of Commons was Sir John Cust (born 1718, 
died 1770), whose residence then was in Downing Street, adjoining 
St. James Park. 

t Thomas Fitch (Yale 1721), born 1700, died 1774, had forfeited a 
re-election (in May, 1766) to the Governorship of Connecticut, by taking 
the oath to carry out the Stamp Act, and the rest of his life was spent 
in retirement. At the same election Ebenezer Silliman, John Chester, 
Benjamin Hall, and Jabez Hamlin lost their places in the House of 
Assistants, for having administered to Governor Fitch the unpopular oath. 



404 jaeed ingersoll papers, 1766-69. 

Letter of Titus Hosmer. 

Hartford April 14"\ 1767 
Sir 

M''. Isham presented me this morning with your favour of 
the 26"'. Instant . . . Your JSTew Haven plain facts* was 
handed about yesterday, but did not prevent our freemen from 

g'i\'ing- Governour F h Three Hundred Votes, & the four 

Enemies of Liberty something more than that number. At, 
Weathersfield a large Majority in favour of the Jurors, & at 
least an Equilibrium at Hartford & Colchester ; if the western 
parts do as well as the Towns on the River, we may see as great 
a Revolution next May as we did last. 
I am Sir 

with sincere respect 

Your obed''. humb*. Servant 
Titus Hosmer. t 
[To 

.Tared Ingersoll Esq^ 
at 
]N^ew Haven.] 



Letter of Rev. ISTehemiah Strong. 

Turkey hills in Simsbury 

May 5 1767 
Sir 

I have Recev*^ no Information concerning the Situation of my 
Affairs at I*^ewhaven since the Recept of a Letter from your 
Self Hated Last Octo'. 

If there is a good prospect that upon the whole I can recover 
against Burr and if he has any Estate so that I can get myDue 
or any Valuable part of it, I must Desire you to proceed on and 

* The reference in "New Haven plain facts" is to an article in the 
Connecticut Gazette for February 14. 

t Titus Hosmer, born 1737, died 1780, was graduated at Yale College 
in 1757, and became a lawyer in Middletown, Connecticut. 



JAEED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1TC)0-G9. 405 

do the best you can for me; otherwise I desire the affair may 
drop unless he should stir in it himself. 

how the matter stands you can tell, Sir, better than I : I 
desire you would be so good as to manage & conduct the whole 
affair as prudently as may be, and so as to save me from being- 
Exposed to Charge and costs as much as may be by Burr. Tis a 
perplexd affair which I wish was finished and settled, and must 
depend wholly upon you to do it, for I dont choose to have any 
further personal concern with it, any further than to pay Such 
charges as will arise from the management of y® affair, and 
receve what money I can get. 

Be so good Sir as to write to me by the first opportunity 
who am Sir 

your very humble Servant 

Nehemiah Strong 

PS I have here sent you Inclosed a bill which with the 
Interest amounts as near as I can make to the Cost you men- 
tiond in your Letter ; Should have sent it before, if I could 
have had a Safe opportunity. Be so good as to give me Credit. 

[To 

Jared Ingersoll Esq"" 

'New Haven] 



Letters of William Samuel Johim^soiv. 

London Mav 16'\ 1767.* 
-Dear S' 

Having given the Go^^. a pretty full Account which you will 
no doubt see of all that has hitherto pass'd in Pari*, since they 
entered last Wednesd^ upon Amer'\ affairs, & the ship being to 
sail tomorrow moTiiing, I have only time to be particular in 

* This, as well as the next succeeding letter, is taken from a draft in 
the Letter Book of the author. Dr. William Samuel Johnson, in the Library 
of the Connecticut Historical Society. 



V' 



y 



406 JAEED I2^GEES0LL PAPERS^ 1766-69. 

what relates to yourself, as you was I assure you this Morn^ 
about oue o'clock in Persou the object of Parliam^'. Consid- 
eration & recommendod with others y"^ Broth"" suffer's to the 
iNTotice & fav"". of the Crown, ]\P. G having Indefatigably 
labour'd in the course of a very long & warm debate to bring 
the House to 2 resolutions, one (as the foundation for the other) 
That the Colo^ still persisted in denying & oppugning the 
sovereignty of this Country & the Parliam^. Right of Legisr. & 
Taxation in Am'"^., And the other what he call'd a necessary 
Political Test, That all Pers^ at entering into office & every 
Memb''. of Council or Ass*', in the Colol before he sho'd be 
allow'd to set «&; Act sho'd be obliged to subscribe a declarat". in 
the words of the late declarative Act of Pari'', acknowleding the 
Sovereignty of Pari''. & their right to Tax Amer^ &c ; and having 
lost both his Motion's by a very large Maj^, He then said since I 
now Esteem the declarative Act in effect repeal'd, & see you will 
not come into any effectual resolutions to support y"^ own sover''. 
& Authority, I hope you will at least do something for those 
who have endeavour' d to supp\ it in Am^ & suffer' d by their 
loyalty & Obed^. to y^ Act's ; he then ment*^ f Case, & that of 
sev". others, & thereupon moved that an hum^. Address sho'd be 
present*^, to his Maj''. that he would be pleas'd to bestow some 
Marks of his fav"". upon those Gov^'^. & officrs who had suffer'd 
in Conseq^. of their Obed^. to the Acts of this Legislature ; he 
was seconded by L"^. ISTorth who had been before applied to, k it 
passed ISTem® Cont®. Y^, jSTame will certainly be in the list 
which gos up with the Address, & you have only to point out 
what you would have. I trust you have already said something 
to M'^ W or me in Cons*, of what both he «fe I wrote you upon 
this subject soon after I arrived here; if you have not, let us' 
hear from you as soon as possible. I can only tell you in a word 
what is done k what is propos*^., not whether they shou'd do any- 
thing, but whether this or something like it, more lenient or 
more severe. The Matters proposed & which are yet to be legis- 
lated are : The H". have Resolv*^. to suspend the Leg*. Pow"". of 
I^ Y till they submit to the Mutiny x\ct. Tax's are prop*^. upon 
Wind°. Glass &c, Upon Wine &e with Lib^ «fec. A board of 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS^ 1766-69. 407 

Com' of Cnstoms to be Estab*^,, And the Gov". & Judg^. to have 
2000 : the first & the latter 500 : paid out of the iVm". Reven^ 
Gov'". F. has been named for one of the Com''^ of Customs, but 
the doubt is wheth''. he would rem*'. I wish I knew his sentim*l 
upon this subj*., tho & stou'd venture to write him but that I 
fear it will be imposs^ to receive his Ans\ soon enough to do him 
anv serv^ in that reg*^. ; the salP. will be 500 : p''. Ann. A duty 
upon salt was intend*^, but is given up ; that upon Tea is post- 
pon'd till the dispute with the E. India Co shall be settled, that 
is within the last 6 weeks become all in all in the H°. & if he 
do's not make some blund"". stands a very good Chance to have 
the lead in all public affairs. L^ Ch^.* is :Nroth^; it is beliv^l 
his Under^. is gone. A change of Min^. is expect*^, but who will 
turn up is uncertain. I came from the H°. this Morn^, after one 
& it is now 12 at l^ight, so that I must have done. The Am". 
Ag**. were expressly ord'^. not to be adm*^. into the Gallery, but 
I found means notwithstanding to slip in at the last debate. 
M'" G. in the midst of one of his speeches stop*^. short & look^. up 
to the GalF said, I hope there are no Am°. Agents here, I must 
hold such Lang®, as I w*^. not have them hear, <S:c I expected 
to be taken into Custodv being there in direct breach of the order 
of the H° ; but the Speaker told him he had expressly orded the 
Sarg* to admit none, & he might be ass*^. there were none pres- 
ent; nobody hapen'd to discov^ me & I escaped. I long to hear 
from you & am with Comp*®. to y^ Household, all the Brother- 
hood & all Friends most affectionately 

Y* Friend & hum^ Serv* 

P. S. May 18*^^. As the Ship did not sail so soon as was 
expected I have the pleasure to enclose you a letter from ]\P. 
Whately which I dare say has superseded my adding any thing. 
I know not whether he has mention'd to you that the Cheif Jus- 
ticeship of IST Y is talked of for you if it can be genteel'y dis- 
engaged from another person (I imagine ]\P Gardiner) who had 
long since applied for it & had some encouragement. I ment*^. 

* Chatham. 



i08 JAEED I^"GERSOLL PAPERS, 1766-69. 

to him the oLject". you had made to me with respect to that sit- 
uation, but neither he nor I think it of sufiT. weight, to prevent 
obtaining it if possible. One thing he desired me to mention 
which he had forgot, viz. that he woukl be much obliged to you to 
send him next Autumn a Cask or two of good Kewtown Pip- 
pins for his own Table. 
To Jared Ingersoll Esq"^ 
London May 16'^ & 18^ : 1767. 



London June 9'^. 1767. 

I am now fav"^. with f\ of the 27'^ of April. Three Days 
ago I receiv'd j\ of the 31^^ of Jan"^'., for both which I thank 
you. By my last you will see the turn things have taken here, 
& especially that part which immediately Concern's Y^ self. 
J^othing farther than I then acquainted you with has occurred 
The Min''. have given up the Idea of Taxing Wine, fruit & Oil 
& opening the Trade to Portugal as being at this Juncture too 
great an Infring'. of the Act of Xavig" & a dangerous Kelaxa- 
tion of the sovereignty of this Country, but they say if wo 
behave well we shall have this Indulgence by & by. The busi- 
ness of Pap\ M°. too seems at present to be laid aside for this 
session, & Parliam^. are proceeding in the other matters which 
I have mention'd to you. M''. S. (who is appointed one of the 
C ) will now be Convinced that something is to be done with the 
disobed*. Colo". The Min^'. say this ]\Ieas'\ adopt'', with respect 
to N. Y. is the most lenient they could devise, & if this do's not 
bring them to submit, they may expect more severe treatment. 
He Judg^. rightly that party Rage is here very predominant, but 
however they may be divided in other matters & hate one 
another heartily, it seems they are at present enough agreed in 
having an 111 Opinion of the Colonl & in a Resolution to assert 
the supremacy of this Country. xVll Attent". is now turn'd 
towards IST Y k everybody will be anxious to know the part she 
will take upon this occasion. Georgia has not only refused the 
Troops, but the post office Act, which is highly resented, but I 



JAKED IXGEESOLL TAPERS, 1T06-G9. 409 

do not yet find what steps are likely to he taken with respect 
to that Prov*. I am g-lad the Soldiers you have behave so well; 
it is still confidently said that the Troops gone out to A. are not 
to encrease the Establish*, there, bnt only to relieve a like Xnm- 
ber, pursuant to the plan long since adopted. The general 
Liberty you have given ^P W S: myself we shall make as good 
a use of as may be in our Power. I was to the last degree 
cautions that nothing relative to this matter sho'd perspire till 
]\P' G. mention'd it publickly in the IP., after which it could 
no longer remain a secret that something was to be done, but 
what, in part'", is not even yet mentioned. I own I have had 
fears that the mention of it by j\P Gr. & the Princ*" he urg*^, it 
upon would be in danger of exposing you to fresh Odium, But 
it could not be avoided, he will do everything in his own way, 
and I am willing to hope the best. Tt seems you have had morel 
violent struggles about Election than the Tmport^ of the Object 
seems to Merit. But to me observ°. the violence of Faction & 
Party here, what has happen'd with you scarcely seems an 
object, & is like the light ruffle of the Fish Pond compared 
with the rough raging Wave of the Tempestuous Ocean. Tho' 
the Election here is yet 12 M°^ distant, they are already in the 
depth of Intregue about it, tt every Party are striving to secure 
fr support themselves, & to ruin & blacken their Opponents. 
As to Dear Conn*, tho' Party strife is in all Countries & at all 
times Mischeivl, yet it will be peculiarly so to her at this 
Juncture, when she is watch'd with a Jealous Eye, & tho' pretty 
well in favour, I trust, if she go's much astray, may depend 
upon receiving a Box in the Ear. Temple's observ". witlil 
respect to this Country which you mention was I doubt not 
very just; it requires a close & repeated observat". to form a 
Just Estimate of its System ; tho' in the gen", as I told you it 
do's not Ans"". my Expect^, yet I own I find very many things 
to Commend & even admire, as well as many to Censure & not 
a few to detest. I shall not forget y. Charge as to Westm''. 
Hall. I have always attended there whenever it was possible 
it shall omit no Opport^ to observe the course of Business in that 
yet uncorrupted &: well Executed Department. L"* Xs Infir- 



410 JAEED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1766-69. 

mitj or Inattention to Busi^ or both hitherto prevent my fore- 
seeing when I shall be able to return ; I already wish for it & as 
soon as it is possible shall loose no time in embracing my Am'\ 
Friends. I lament the death of Bror. Seym''* whose too close 
attention to business has no doubt shorten'd his Days. M"^ 
Clapt (whose death I was inform'd of by the Papers before y. 
fav''.) has been an extreme good steward of his £500 • • • • & 
I know not how it was possible for him in his situation to amass 
such a fortune as you mention. Y'" Son is I trust by this time 
perfectly recover' d of the small Pox of which I give him & ]VP^. 
Ing^\ & you Joy & am with Compl*^ to all friends 

D^ S\ Y^. most aff^ 

hum^ Sen-*^. 

P. S. I tho't it not worth while to tell you, who are an old 
Sailor, of my tempestuous Passage, which was in truth bad 
enough. But I really forgot to acquaint you as I intended 
that I took Dyers lodgings at M''l Wilsons in Lancast''. Court & 
find them very agreable. ]\P. Jackson, who appears to be both 
your & my hearty friend, has had no time yet to make Trial of 
me on horseback, but we Promise ourselves that pleas^ as soon 
as Pari*, rises. 

To Jared Ingersoll Esq''. 
London June 9.*^ 1767. 



Letter of Rev. Dr. Richard Salter. 

Mansfield Aug^* 4* 1767 
S'^ 

I expect to have a Case depending at y^ next Term of y" 
Superiour Court in y^ County of Windham by an appeal from 
y® Judgment of y^ Court of Probate. The facts are as follows. 

* Thomas Seymour (Yale 1724), a prominent member of the Connecticut 
bar, died in Hartford on March 18, 1767. 

t Thomas Clap, the former President of Yale College, died in New 
Haven on January 7, 1767. 



JAEED i::^GEKSOLL PAPERS, 1766-69. 411 

The Rev^. Eleazer Williams of Mansfield died Siezed of an 
Estate in fee Simple. Left 3 Daughters, & one Grand Daugh- 
ter. To his Grand Daughter he Left a Small Legacy ; to y^ 3 
Daughters y*" whole of his Estate besides, both Real & Personal, 
y" Estate was settled according to y® will to Sarah & Mary; 
Hannah Dying without Issue. Sarah Dies & leaves issue 2 
Daughters, Hannah & Ann, by y*" Rev*^. M"" Hobart Estabrook. 
Ann Dies, & Hannah has Divided to her y® whole of y® Estate y* 
Avas her Mothers, & w°^ descended from her Grand father. 
Hannah Dies a Minor, her father still Living with children by 
a 2''. wife, & her Aunt Mary also Living; since, both father & 
Aunt are Dead. The Question is whether y® Estate derived 
from her Ancestor, descends by Law to her father, as next of 
Kin by Propinquity, or to her Aunt as ]^ext of Kin Hered- 
itable. I am in favour of & stand to Defend y® Claim of y^ 
Aunt as Sole Heir at Law. There is a claim set up on y® behalf 
of y^ heirs of y* ISFiece before mentioned, Grand Daughter to 
y^ Rcv"^. M'" Williams from whom y*" Estate Descended. This 
I mean also to oppose. I should be Glad you would Think on 
y*^ Case before hand, & shall Depend on your Help in Conjunc- 
tion with MT' Huntington at y* Super iour Court at Windham as 
before, if y® Case should Then be Depending there, & hope to 
make you Recompense to Satisfaction. These are the jSTeedfuU 
from 
S^ 

Y^ humble Serv* 

Richard Salter* 

P: S: The Widow of the Rev"^. M" Estabrook deceas.l 
stands in Defence of his Claim to s"^. Estate in opposition to 
me, & on behalf of his Children by her. 

To Jared Ingersol Esq"^. 

* The Kev. Dr. Richard Salter (born 1723, died 1789) was graduated at 
Harvard College in 1739, and in June, 1744, succeeded the Rev. Eleazer 
Williams as pastor in Mansfield, Connecticut. He married Mary, daughter 
of his predecessor, in the following September, and she died in September, 
1766. 



•il2 JAEED INGEESOLL PAPEES, 1766-69. 

Letter of Beeatakd Lintot. 

'New Haven v'^ 11"^ August 1767 
Sir 

I have at length agreed with M^ Arnold* to take y^ Rum at 
2y3^ lawful per Gallon : also a parcel of Dry Goods at £50 law- 
ful. The Freight JMonej is also to be paid to me, which I 
think will reduce the Sum due to about £160 lawful money, of 
which I can not be certain as I have not yet a perticular 
account of any thing except the Dry Goods. A difficulty seems 
to arise between IF. Arnold & me respecting the exchange, 
which ]\r^' Arnold calculates at the nominal exchange in this 
Colony : but as Bills rise & fall & are generally higher than the 
rate he calculates at, T thiuk it but just that it should be calcu- 
lated at the price I actually can buy Bills at ; otherways I am 
not paid the proposed Sum ; and this I also take to be the cus- 
tome of Merchants. I suppose £180 York Curr^ for £100 
* SterF to be the present price of Bills. T shall desire M'^. Isaacs 
to lay before you the amount of the Rum & Freight Money 
when receivd — being oblidg'd to leave an order with him to 
receive it from Cap*. Goodwin. T must depend upon you Sir to 
see that the remaining Sum is fully secured as you can well 
imagin how much I should be bl aimed to suffer the property to 
go out of my hands without adequate security. If these matters 
can not finally be settled until my return to 1^ Haven (which I 
expect will be in four "Weeks ), leave the whole to your direction 
which will always be approved by me ; and ashaimed of being 
so troublesome remain S'" 

Y' most Obed* Ser* 

Ber''. Lintotf 
[To 

Jared Ingersol Esq'"] 

* The notorious Benedict Arnold (born 1741, died 1801), a druggist and 
shipping merchant in New Haven from 1762 to 1775. 

In May, 1767, the writer as attorney for certain London merchants 
had secured from Arnold, in part payment of a debt, a sloop engaged in 
the West India trade and its cargo. Mr. Ingersoll had been the medium 
through whom this transaction was arranged, and the present letter relates 
to its further settlement. 

t Bernard Lintot, a merchant wlio removed from the neighboring town 
of Derby to New Haven about this date. He removed in 1769 to Bran- 



JAEED IjVGERSOLL PAPERS;, 1706-69. 413 

Letter of Augustus Johnston. 

Little Eest* August 13"\ 1767. 
Dear Sir 

I have but just time l)v ]M''. ]\luniford of ]S[ew London, who is 
attending- the Court here, to Inform you that the Rage of the 
People in this Colony, agst me, on ace* of my late Appointment, 
Still continues, & I believe never will end, which has deter- 
mined me to go for England, which I shall do, in al)out three 
Weeks ; if you have any Commands there, you may be assured 
I shall take great pleasure in Executing them, & am 

D^ Sir 
y much obliged hV'^ Serv^ 

A. Johnston, t 
[To 

Jared Ingersoll Esq''. 
in 

i^ew Haven] 



Letter of Richard Jackson. 

8 Sep' 1767 
Dear Sir 

I have yours of the 27*'^ Ap^ before me. I am heartily glad to 
hear both of your health & of the Quiet happily reestablished 
in the Colony. I heartily wish it may last long & shall cer- 
tainly earnestly endeavour that it shall not be disturbed by the 
miscarriage of the Mohegin Suit. But Events are uncertain & 
of Law Suits most of all. I have in my Publick Letters spoke 
with more Confidence than perhaps my Opinion warrants, fear- 
ford, where he remained until the Revohition, when he seems to have 
taken refuge with the British army. 

He was presumably a relative of tlie London publisher, Bernard Lintot 
(born 1675, died 1736), made famous by his relations with Pope. 

* A village in Kingston, Rhode Island. 

t Augustus Johnston was born in New Jersey about 1730, and had served 
for eight years as Attorney-General of Rhode Island (Avhere his mother 
had removed), before his appointment as Stamp Distributor in 1765. 



414 JAEED INGEKSOLL PAPERS^ 1766-69. 

ing that an Expression of Diffidence, which could not but be 
known to y'^ Adversarys might be the means to encourage them. 
Yet I sincerely think the Cause a good one & as safe as a Cause 
of this sort can well be, but Prejudices abound,, the Case 
is liable to a thousand misrepresentations that will meet the 
Prejudices of those who have got strange ISTotions of the Oppres- 
sions Poor Indians have met with from Europeans, the original 
Justice of whose settlements in America it is now the fashion to 
condemn, & that too in the lump, for you know a Condemnation 
in the lump saves trouble. 

I shall not forget to further your Interests whenever it is 
in my Power. I think you will not want much Assistance, but 
will infallibly sometime or other be somehow remembered to 
your advantage, but Publick Affairs have been involved in a 
kind of Whirlwind ever since you left us. You know long 
before this, that there is a Parliamentary recommendation of 
those, who have suffered by the Violence & Disorders occa- 
sioned by the Stamp Act. ISTo Persons are I think named in y^ 
vote as it now stands, but both you & M'' Fitch were named in 
the House. I mentioned you both* & urged one of your 
Appointment as Commissioner of the Customs, before this 
Vote ; I mentioned both afterwards as more proper since that 
Vote, but it was objected, that the Measure might be rendered 
obnoxious by naming unpopular People. This I suppose was 
y® ostensible Reason only; both of you however will certainly 
be remembered, either by M"" Grenville, sh*^ he come in, or by 
any other Minister. We are now in great confusion caused by 
the Death of M"" Townshend. There are a 1000"^ Engines at 

Work. I cannot guess what will be the Result 

I am D'' Sir with much Esteem 
Y' most Obed*. 

hble Serv* 

R. Jackson. 

* The writer was a Member of Parliament for Weymouth. 



jaeed ixgersoll pareks^ 1t6g-69. 415 

Letters of William Samuel Joh^tson. 

London Nov"". 12"\ 1767 

Put not if. Trust in Parliaments nor in Princes if I was you 
I would assume for my Motto. Tn Conseq®. of the Paiiiam^. 
recommend". I expect"^, very soon to have had the pleasure of 
acquaint^, you of some very beneficial Appointment. I was 
made to believe that it could not fail nor be delay'd. It was 
confidently expected & even relied upon that you or Gov"^. Fitch 
& probably both would be appointed of the Board of Customs 
(or as Huske calls it board of Sallaries) : beside the Vote of 
Pari*, you were both menf^. by y'. Friends to the Ministers & all 
proper Interest made for you, Yet we have seen that Board 
filFd up (S: all the lucrat*' offices dependant upon it disposed of 
without any ISTotice taken of you or any of those who were 
recommended to the fav^. of the Crown. And as to the Ch. J. 
I ment^, nothing is said ; it seems to be looked upon as full at 
present, & that the Reversion is not to be disposed of. It has 
been hinted to me indeed, but I cannot say that I rely at all 
upon it, that it is reserv'd for a certain Gent", now in Am''^. & to 
a particular purpose which I durst not mention unless I could 
whisper it in y'" Ear. Wh^. says the Recommend", cannot fail 
to have its effect, & that the Ministry shall hear of their neglect 
of it in the filling up the board, & be call'd to Account for it, 
when Parliam*. meets, so that you are still to expect something- 
very clever, but what or when or where I caunot at present tell 
you ; it may come very soon & we have already seen it may be 
delay'd. I am obliged to M'' W it seems not only for his friend- 
ship to me but for assuring you of mine to you ; you may rely 
upon it that I have done & shall still do all in my Power to 
serve you. But if you did not already know this Country I 
shou'd tell you they are strange People here ; Very unsteady, so 
exceedingly unsettled, that one is almost tempted to think all 
affairs go by Accident & are govern'd by Chance, rather than 
by design. Lord 1^. you have heard is Chan'', of the Excheq''. 
in lieu of Ch^ T. & there is now little talk of a Change, which 



416 JAEED INGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1766-69. 

till very lately lias been confidently expected. All that I can 
find the Ministry are upon relative to Am^. is the design of 
forming settlements in the Illinois Country & at Detroit, which 
they have in Consideration, in view to save the heavy expence 
they have been at in Indian affairs. The board of Trade have 
consulted the ]\Ierch'^ who Report in favour of it, so that G. 
L. [ ? ] affairs now go on swimingly. Tell y''. neighbour 
Tomson that Poor father Kobinson died a few days ago of the 
small Pox, which is a sad misfort® to the I^. Hampshire cause, 
& what I shall do without his Evidence which was of the last 
Importance I know not. When I may hope to return I cannot 
yet foresee, as L. President gives us no Opport^'. for a hearing 
of the Mohegan Case. We have been ready this 7 M°*. & the 
other side tell us they are so too. I am impatient to see an end 
of it & to return to my old System, for (to Ans''. y''. Queries) I 
never indulged myself with any expectation of a provision in 
this Country or my own which might exempt me from business. 
Industry in my Profession has been ever my only reliance, & 
tho' it may after so long an Interval at first seem a little odd to 
bustle again at the Bar, yet I doubt not after a while it will 
become again familiar. The story you had from I. H.* I doubt 
not is very near the Truth & will be justified by the event, 
but (tho' it looks too like the usual cant in these occasions) I 
will venture to assure you that I am as Easy about all that mat- 
ter as a Man can be. I am resolved to take no Pains to be in or 
out. I do not contemn the favours of my Country ; on the con- 
trary I set a proper Value upon them ; but I cannot anxiously 
court them. While the Peop*^. Imag^. I can do thein any ser- 
vice, I am willing to endeavour it; when they shall be of a 
different Opinion, I shall readily acquiesce in it without mur- 
muring, & I think without uneasiness, unless accompanied with 
other Circumstances than barely being neglected. I can never 
so much wonder at their leaving me out as I did at their 
putting me in. But this is too much of myself which you will 
however pardon because you led me to it. The establishm\ of 

* Joseph Harrison ? 



JAKED INGERSOLL PAPERS^ 1766-69. " 417 

the Board at B. rather than at iST. Y was owing to M'. Paxton's* 
Int*. with Ch". Townsend who conducted that whole affair. 
Gov^. Pitkins proceed*, with respect to the Troops was at first a 
little grnmbled at, but the proper Excuses from our Circum- 
stances & the N"ature of Qur Const", being made, it was pretty 
well approv'd. The next Questn you ask is a very shrewd one 
& I have been very anxious to know what was intended, & at 
present as far as I can discover there is no design to take any 
Notice of our GoV. or Judges, but to leave them upon their 
present footing. There has never you know been any CompP. 
of want of Salary from our Gov"", or Judges, & consequently no 
room for his Majesty to interpose where Civil Govern*, has been 
so well supported as with us & there has been so little alteration 
about it. In a word I think it was not an Object with those 
who plan'd & pen'd the Act, nor did they attend to the distinction 
between the Ch^ Gov*'. & the others. We had a Prince Born 
the 2*^ Ins'* & the D. of Y. was Interd the 3^. with much Pomp, 
so you see notwithstand^. our loss's we keep our stock of Royal 
Blood still Intire. 

I am with Compl*'. to all friends very affectionately 
Y^. F. & H. S.f 
To elared Ingersoll Esq*". 
London :Nrov'. 12* 1767. 

London ^v^ 30*\ 1767. 
Dear S'. 

I wrote you a gloomy Letter the 12*^. Inst*., which I now 
wish you may never receive or at least not before this, since it 

*At the time this letter was written Charles Paxton (born 1704, died 
1788) was collector of the port of Boston. On September 8, 1767, he (as 
head) and four others. Hulton, Robinson, Temple, and Burch, were com- 
missioned the American Board of Custom Commissioners to sit at Boston, 
under the Townshend Act of June 29 of the same year. This board met 
for the first time in Boston on November 18. Paxton ceased to be collector 
on his appointment as commissioner and was succeeded by Joseph Harrison, 
who arrived in America probably in 1768. 

t This letter from Dr. William Samuel Johnson, as well as the two next 
following, is copied from his Letter-book in the Connecticut Historical 
Society. 

14 



418 " JAEED lA^GEKSOLL PAPERS;, 1766-69. 

must give you some pain as it did me to find we had so little 
Expectations that anything wonld be soon done for you not- 
withstanding the great hopes conciev'd from the Parliam''. 
Recommend". I own I began to fear for you that it had been 
in a manner forgot, & would be neglected, But am now very 
agreably disappointed. L. ^orth it seems bore it in Mind, & of 
his own accord sent to M^ W. to know whether he tho't it would 
be agreable to you to be appointed Judge of Admiralty with 
a saF of £400-0 p" Ann at Philad^, Virg^ or S". Carolina, upon 
which J\P. W was pleased to Advise with me, & upon the whole. 
Judging for you as T would have done for myself. It was my 
opinion that you sho'd accept it if fixed at either of the 2 first 
places, but not at Carolin'^. that being too far South for a 
jSTorth''. Constitution: in which ]\P. W. concuring with me, & 
after as mature a deliberation as we could give the subject, he 
waited upon I^. N" & accept*^, with that limitation, & there 
seems no room to doubt that one of the two places agreed to 
will be pitch'd upon & you may depend will be accordingly 
appointed, of which I heartily give you Joy. As W. do's not 
chuse to be seen in the aft'air, it will be my part to [make ?] out 
y Commiss'', which I will do with all the dispatch I can. What 
the Fees will amount to I cannot yet tell, but doubt not you will 
very readily repay them. The office is Honor®. & lucrative & I 
hope will be agreable to you. <S: if it sho'd not may probably be 
Exchang"^. for something that is. The Intention it seems is 
that there shall be only three Judges for the Continent, so that 
you will have a large district, & tho' you are to have no part of 
the Forfeitures, I take it for granted you may in time of War 
especially take trial fees, so it must be much better than a C. 
Just^. at Common Law with the propos*^. salary of £500 : : 0, 
& from the diff. of Fees in those two kinds of Courts probably 
not inferior in time of Peace. The session was opened the 24*^, 
when upon the Motion for an Address in Answer to the Kings 
Speech M^ Burke & y^. Friend Wedderburn each of them gave 
us a fine spirited Declamat". ag^ the Ministry, & upon the sd 
State of affairs both at home & abroad. M^ Greenville pursued 
the same general plan but could not let poor America escape, 



JARED INGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1766-69. 419 

having taken up two or three peices wh*" I have not seen, pub- 
lished in the Boston Papers, which he said were Infamous libels 
upon Parliam*., tended to stir up the People of that Country 
to sedition & rebellion & ought to be punish*^. &c &c, but they are 
at present deliberating upon the high Price of Provis^ & the 
distress's of the Poor, but seem at a loss what to do for relief. 

The next day he made a formal CompP of those Papers, wh'^. 
occasion'^ a good deal of debate. But finally the House, tho' 
they tho't them Papers of a very 111 Tendency, seem'd to think 
them beneath their ISTotice, & avoided determining upon the 
Compl*. by puting the previous Question to adjorn the debate 
for six Months. M'". Whately assures me he will write you by 
this Convey®., so I need say no more upon Politics but with 
Comp^^ to all Friends am 

sincerely y"". Friend & humble 

Serv*. 
To Jared Ingersoll Esq'. 
London ^v^. 30*^ 1767. 

London Jan"^. 2\ 1768. 

I thank you for y. fav'. of the 29*^^. of Ocf. which I have just 
now received & am very happy that you approve the depart- 
ment assign'd for you in the Partition made of the Judgeships. 
You must before this time have received y''. Commission which 
went with the others to Judge Auchmuty of Boston with a 
request to forward it to you ; & I hope it came safe to hand. 
Happily the Fees at Doct'"^ Commons* did not rise so high as 
we were told they would, the whole sum amounting to no more 
than £12.9.4 which I have paid 

Boston has indeed made a most insignificant figure, & ex- 
posed themseves to Infinite Ridicule in this Country. They 

* Doctors Commons, the place of residence of the doctors of civil law, 
who practiced in the ecclesiastical and admiralty courts, was located at 
this time in the City of London, on St. Bennet's Hill, south of St. Paul's 
Churchyard. The buildings consisted of the dining-hall or commons, the 
hall where the courts were held, the library, and the doctors' chambers. 



420 JAKED INGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1766-69. 

were certainly very unwise to talk of their Arms when they 
did not intend to nse them, indeed they sho'd have known that 
the Weapons of their warfare ivere not Carnal, & that they can 
make a much better figure upon Paper than they can in the 
field — and have more effectual Arms to Combat this Country 
with than Musquets or Bayonets, Their Resolutions to import 
no goods & encourage Frugality & Industry could they keep 
them & engage their ISTeighbours to join with them would have 
Infinitely more weight here than any other opposition they can 
make, but one is apt to suspect now that they have no more 
firmness in that respect than with regard to Arms, & mean 
only to bluster & make believe which will never answer the 
end 

Administration flushed with the success they have had in 
humbling the Bostonians now seem to think it their Turn to 
talk big & bold & hitherto seem inflexible in their Resolution 
not to Repeal their Laws compl*^. of by the Colon^ at least for 
this session of Pari*, nor until the Colon^ submit to give up, or 
at least wave the point of Right 

L. T. I believe & some others fancy that the Colo^ are com- 
ing about, & that if they put on a face of firmness & hold a 
strict hand over them for a while they will submit ; others even 
in Ad^ doubt it but are willing to try ; yet I believe with you 
that the difficulty is not yet over, that the same uneasiness & the 
same opinions ^c will continue & will continue till some Agree- 
ment & mutual understand^ is bro't about, but when or how this 
shall be effected I do not yet see, tho' it is most earnestly to be 
wished. . This Countr}^ cannot jet bear the humiliating Idea 
of treating with that ; Shall we submit to treat with our Sub- 
jects, say they? 'No let us rather . Yet the Day will 

come I think, & the sooner the better for us both 

Heaven will I yet hope open to us some door of Reconcilia- 
tion & not leave us to destroy one another as we must do in 
the way things are now proceeding .... 

y sincere Friend 

& aff^ hum^ Serv*. 
Hon\ 

Jared Ingersol Esq'". 



jaked ingersoll papers^ 17gg-69. 421 

Letter of Richard Jackson. 

Southampton Buildings 
12 Mar 1768 
Dear Sir 

It is so long since I Avrote to you or beard from you that 
I have really forgot who is the Debtor of the two. No man 
can more sincerely rejoice at y'" succeeding in your wishes than 
I do, & therefore at a venture I should have risked the rejoicing 
with you, though T was not quite certain you would relish the 
offer made you of a seat on the Bench of Admiralty Jurisdic- 
tion,* had I not known that Wheatly bad communicated that 
offer beforef & bad I not at the same time been taken up in a 
close Attention to my father & Brother Bridges, both of whom 
are since dead,± & then lay as they had done for some weeks 
before in the tortures of the Stone & Gout. This long illness of 
two persons for whom I had a sincere Affection & with whom I 
have lived so much, has perhaps left abundantly more impres- 
sion on my mind, than their Deaths at a distance could have 
done, & the Impression is not at all lessened by the Increase of 
fortune I receive from them, & even little by the Consideration 
of the Age of one & y^ Infirmities of both. 

I hope the offer I speak of will be acceptable to you ; if it be 
not, be so good as to sigiiify what you think will suit you best ; 
sh"^ it be in my Power, the little Assistance I can give you is 
at your Service. 

* Owing to the stricter measures adopted after 1763 to check smuggling 
and enforce the acts of trade a reorganization of the system of vice-admi- 
ralty courts took place in America. The old courts remained unchanged 
but in 1764 a single court for all America was constituted to sit at 
Halifax. Later this was given up and four courts, at Halifax, Boston, 
Philadelphia, and Charleston, were established with power to exercise both 
original and appellate jurisdiction. These are the courts referred to. 

t A letter from Mr. ^^^lately to William Samuel Johnson, November 
15, 1767, mentions that Lord North had asked him if a Judgeship in the 
new Courts of Vice Admiralty, with an annual salary of £400, would be 
agreeable to Mr. Ingersoll. 

t Mr. Jackson's father, Richard Jackson, died on January 10, 1768, and 
his sister's husband, Thomas Bridges (for whom see above, p. 279), on 
the following day. 



■122 JAEED INGEESOLL PAPEES, 1766-69. 

I wish any thing could be thought of for that worthy Man 
Governor Fitch. I know not what to move for him ; there is 
no man I more wish to serve, & hope it Avould not be difficult to 
succeed if one knew what would suit him. 

One Reason of my now writing to you is I care not to write 
quite explicitly to Gov'' Pitkin on y*" Subject of y® Mohegin 
Suit,* because such Letters are read publickly & come to y^ 
knowledge of y* adversary. I sincerely think y^ Merits are 
with us, & that no such Commission ought to have issued orig- 
inally, & as it has issued, it ought after this length of time to 
rest on y® Determination of y® last Commissioners ; but I can- 
not answer for the Opinion of the Privy Council, especially 
considering y'' Disposition Mankind here have to believe the 
English Americans in general have dispossessed y*^ Indians 
unjustly, & considering what complaints of that sort are lately 
come over from other parts of America, which you know 
enough of this Country to know, will probably be confounded 
with our Case. 

I have wished therefore to stop the progress of the Suit with- 
out appearing to oppose the SoF^ of the Indians obtaining 
Money from the Crown (which they cannot do without) by dis- 
closing enough of the Affair to put the Ministry on its Guard 
ag* the fine Impression of a plausible story, & by intimating that 
if after one such Trial asquiesced in for 20 years they advance 

* A controversy had long subsisted between the Mohegan Indians of 
Eastern Connecticut and the Colony, respecting the validity of certain 
purchases of territory from the former in the seventeenth century. After 
protracted efforts at settlement here, the case had been transferred to 
England, and in October, 1766, Wm. Sam'l. Johnson had been sent by the 
Connecticut Assembly to London as a special Agent in this matter. 

The Mohegan case was not finally disposed of until Jan. 15, 1773, when 
the Privy Council dismissed the appeal of the Mohegan Indians, thus 
affirming the decision of the commissioner of review of Aug. 16, 1743. 
For twenty years the appellant, Samuel Mason, acting as "guardian" 
for the Indians, had persisted in his effort of obtain possession of the 
Mohegan lands and the expenses of his appeal had been paid out of the 
British Exchequer. From 1769 to 1773 the colony's case was conducted 
by its agent-solicitor, Thomas Life. Johnson returned to America before 
the final decision. 



JAKED INGEESOLL PAPERS^ 1766-69. 423 

more money, they may expect like Applications from 100 worn 
out Tribes in all the different Colonies of America; & this I 
haA^e done. 

I am D'' Sir sincerely 
f faithfull 

hble Serv* 

R. Jackson. 



Letter of Augustus Johnston. 

Newport February 7'\ 1769. 
Dear Sir 

I came to Town late last Evening, & found your favour of 
the 29*^ of last Month, but as the Post goes out early this 
Morning (I mean at 10 O' Clock) I have but to acknowledge 
the Rec* of that, & the just sense I have of your Friendship, but 
before I set oif for Carolina, I will write you more freely. I 
cant help saying that I am well pleased at our late appoint- 
ments,* not only for our sakes, but as it shows a design in the 
Administration at Home, to support those Americans, who have 
endeavoured at acquitting themselves good subjects. God 
knows I am grieved at the Distresses of my Country, but can't 
help thinking they have brought it upon themselves, by being 
led by a few hotbrained people, & T don't doubt, but in a short 
time, the misguided ones will see their error & will know who's 
advice it would have been most prudent for them to have fol- 
lowed. W\ Johnston joyns me in Complim''^ to W\ Ingersoll 
which includes me in hast. 

Y"^ very hble. Serv'. 

A. Johnston. 

' * Mr. Johnston had received, at the time of Mr. Ingersoll's appointment, 
the appointment of Judge of the Court of Vice-Admiralty for the Southern 
District, comprising tlie Carolinas, Georgia, and the Floridas, with head- 
quarters at Charleston, where he arrived in May, 1769. 

During the Revolution he took refuge with the British in New York 
City, and is said to have died there about 1779. 



424 JAEED INGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1766-69. 

I agree with you, in your Sentiments of writing to Lord 
ITorth, & Sir Edward Hawke, & shall enclose them, to be deliv- 
ered by our Worthy Friend M^. Whately to whom I shall write 
at the same time. 

Y^^ A J. 

Ilonble. Jared Ingersoll 



Letters of William Samuel Johnson. 

London March 8*^. 1Y69 
Dear S'". 

I have the pleasure of y''^ of the 7*^. of Jan'', inclosing x^. 
Bill on Mess"". Brown's & Collinson for £20 : : 0. You will 
have seen by my last that the Estimate made of the fees upon y' 
Commission, which I communicated to you, was much too high 
& that the sum I have advanced (including the price of 5 lb 
Bacon which T delivered ]\r. life* to be cons"^. with y''. Stat'.) 
is no more than £13 : 14 : 4. I have therefore made no farther 
use of y^ Bill than for reembursing myself that sum. I 
explain'd the matter so minutely to M^ Brown, & have Indorsed 
the Order® in part only & so particularly that I think no mis- 
take can happen among us in Conseqn® of the Orders being 
larger than the sum rec'd. You would certainly enjoy this 
Office with much more pleasure & we sho'd be all much happier 
were those unfortunate disputes betw*^. G. B. & the Colonies set- 
tled, & I do with you most sincerely lament our unhappy sit- 
uation. But at present I see little prospect of the compleation 
of y''. hope that we shall soon either untie or Cut the Gordion 
Knot. I fear yet farther provocations on both sides, severities 
on this side & reluctance & Opposition on that. Perhaps we 
must both feel more effectually the folly of Quarreling before 
we shall have the Wisdom to be reconciled, tho' the longer it is 

* Thomas Life, of Basinghall St., Cripplegate, London, was appointed in 
1760 co-agent for the Colony with Jackson, acting as atto^ne3^ Jackson 
was the regular agent, W™ Samuel Johnson the special agent in the 
Mohegan case. 



JARED INGEESOLL PAPERS, 1766-69. 425 

delay'd the more the wound festers & rankles, & the Cure 
becomes every day more doubtful & difficult. However, I will 
still hope & pray God that some proper Remedy may be found 
before it becomes totally incurable. Part of the present Man- 
ager's, & those who have now most Influence, are obstinate in 
their own Opinion, & believe or at least affect to believe that 
the uneasiness is not gen^ in Am^, that they are only a factious 
few that disbelieve the Parliam^. Right of Taxation or reluct at 
the Exercise of their Power to &c And that by standing firm or 
at least assuming the app^ of it, & by a few Troops & some little 
severities they may bring the Colon^ into a state of humble sub- 
mission. Another part think it w be best to ease away & give 
up for the present at least the Actual Exercise of their Power in 
the iitegated points, but doubt whether they can do it with 
Hon''., & that doubt compells them to conform to the first ment^. 
part of Adm'^. & agree tho' faintly in the present measures. 
They are all indeed as you observe angry, but many of them 
at the same time fear. ISTothing farther has however been done 
since the Resolutions which I communicated to you, tho' we 
are told that adm" do not intend to be silent with respect to 
]Sr York, & the opposition we know propose if they can, in some 
mode or other, which they have not yet agi'eed upon, to bring 
American affairs again upon the Carpet ; but what the Issue 
will be no body can pretend to say. Wilks jou see has been v- 
Expelled, reelected & Expelled again, But the popular Clamour 
is high in his favour ; his friends have set on foot a Subscrip- 
tion to support his Cause, which it is said fills very fast, & it 
may be expected he will yet occasion much bustle. I long 
much to see you & my other friends in A : but am still detain'd 
by this endless Mohegan Case & can yet fix no time for my 
return. In the mean time present my best Compl*^. to M". 
Ingersoll & y. Son & all friends, & believe me to be always 

Y". affect^ Friend &H: S** 
To Hon^ Tared Ingersoll Esq' 
London March 8*^. 1769. 

* This letter by Dr. William Samuel Johnson, as well as the next follow- 
ing one, is taken from his Letter-Book in the Connecticut Historical Society. 



426 JAEED INGEKSOLL PAPERS^ l'r66-69. 

Wesf. Dec^ 9'^ 1769 

You have I see had a great affair before you at N York, 
which after all you have not the good fortune to Quiet. M". 
Bayard & Livingston are Arrived to litigate it with renew'd 
Vigour at the Cock Pit.* I know nothing of the Controv^'. 
tho' I have heard them both talk of the branch's of Delaw^are, of 
the Latitude of old & new Lines, of Ancient Poss^ & Mod" 
Claims — One Circum\ is at least m^. in f av"". of y''. Decree, that 
you have pleased neither Party, & Truth very generally lies in 
the Mean between the extremes into wh*^. all contesting Parties 
are too apt to run. We have had indeed fine Confusions here 
enough to amuse a sobar Man, but they are in some degree sub- 
sided. Whether the approaching Parf. will renew or more 
effectually quiet them, he must be more of a Prophet than I 
pretend to be who can determine. To them howev'". all our 
attent". is now turn'd & we anxiously expect the Event of 
their deliberat'. With regard to Am*, Minist^. are rather puz- 
eled than Converted. They hardly Imow what to do. They 
want to unite Extremes which must be Eternally seperated, the 
full Exercise of Prerogat®. with the complete Enjoy*, of Liberty. 
Surely they had better try to hit upon some Medium. I will 
not say they will, tho' I will give Credit to the good Intentl of 
some of them. Provid®. above I begin to wish must extricate us 
out of the Dilemma we are in, if we are extricated. It is now 
I fear beyond the reach of mere human Policy to Effect it. Let 
us hope the best & wait the Event. You have I confess Keason 
to laugh at me, & I to be ashamed that I have not merited the 
good Opin". M'"^ Ing". was so kind as to entertain of me. Had 

* The Cockpit was the building on the North side of Whitehall in which 
the Privy Council sat and where the Secretaries of State had their offices; 
portions of it still form the interior construction of the Treasury building. 

William Bayard and his associate had been sent over as special agents 
for managing the protest of New York against the decision of the thirteen 
Commissioners appointed to settle the boundary between New York and 
New Jersey; Ingersoll had been the Connecticut representative on this 
Commission, and was present at every one of their meetings (July-October, 
1769). 



JARED INGEESOLL, PAPERS, 1766-69. 427 

any body told me when I left you that I should have spent 3 Y". 
in England, I should have replied with the Words of assyrian, 
Is thy Ser*. a Dog that he should do this thing. Yet I have to 
lament with him that I did not know how little my own Res- 
oluf. would signifie. All Men must submit to the Necessity 
of Affairs. I wish'd as others have done before me to have 
done better, & have done only what my situation admitted me to 
do. I hope it will not now be very long before I shall see you 
& Account for my Conduct, in wh^'. I do not ask applause but 
may I trust hope for Pardon, 

As to y^. Salery T have not had the to M'' Whately 

who is not in the Country these 3 M°^, but have Enqu"^ & am 
told the Course is this ; — you are to get a Certif*". from the Conf . 
of Customs that there is no Money in their hands out of which v^ 
it can be paid, & upon the ground of that Certify, a Mem", must 
be present^, to the Treas^, who will order it paid without much 
Expense. Y^. B'", Auch'. has gone thro' the process, & was 
desired I am told to let you all know the steps to be taken. 
Give me leave upon this occas". as it becomes a Friend to hint 
to you that I have heard some surprise expres'd here at y'. being 
yet in Connect. & M'' Sewall* at Boston, &c. & more that you are 
still, as it seems somebody has said, you yet are in the Pract^ 
of the Law. Do those Gent". Imagine, say they, that this v 
Office is to be a sine Cure, Are they to be N^on resident. Judges, 
or is it Consistant with the Dignity of a Judge to Cont^ in the 
Pract^. of the Law? &c. You may have Reasons & Authority 
which I know noth^. of. These things I should not trouble 
you with, did they come from En. They have droped from y'. 
Friend, & you will pardon my Ment^. them, merely that you 
may make such use of them as you think best. I do by you as 
I wish every Friend to do by me. You will I am sure pardon 
me if you do not approve such Liberty — For myself I do not 
expect any of the good things you are so good as to say You 
wish T may have (if indeed they are good things). I know 

* Jonathan Sewall (Harvard 1748) was appointed judge of the Vice- 
Admiralty-conrt at Halifax in 1768. but never entered on the appointment. 
He died in Xew Brunswick in 1796. 



428 JAEED INGEESOLL PAPEES, 1766-69. 

the insuperable Barriers wLich are interpose'^ between me & 
them. I look forw*^. to the Conn*. Bar with satisfaction where 
I have enjoy 'd much pleasure & think I may again. I have 
no Ob3"^ to it, but that it must keep me too much from my 
family & is rather too fatiging. But why should not one be 
busy? Indolence is the Eust of Life. I know indeed it can 
afford no wealth, but I have long since settled it that Prov^. 
never intended I should be rich, & if it would not be vain I 
would add that I think I have almost acqr*^. Philosophy enough 
to be very well contented without it. Be it as it may I am 
always 

Y^. most ob\ H. S^ 

You do not say a word wheth''. you have rec'd /. Books or 
not or my Letter relat^. to the Order you drew in my fav^ I 
hope both came safe to hand. 

To Jared Ingersoll Esq^ 



Lettee of De. Benjamin Gale. 

Killingworth 29*^ Dec"^ 1769 
Dear S'^ 

I receiv*^ y' Fav'' p" post ; cannot be at Hartford, but Intend 
for IT Haven as soon as I possibly can come over. 

You need not be under any Anxiety of my mentioning your 
ISTame* ; I have carefully avoided that. I was a little sorry I 
mentioned it in my Former, but still was thoughtfull it would 
not be unacceptable as I know the Body of the Freemen hate & 
fear the Consequences of the Susquehannah Affair. 

This has been Co^ Dyers Hobby Horse by which he has rose 

* The writer here refers to a work Avhich he is printing, Observations on 
a Pamphlet . . of which the Hon. Eliphalet Dyer is the reputed Author. 
He had already printed, earlier in 1769, A Letter to J. W., which was also 
largely directed against Colonel Dyer and the Susquehannah Company in 
which he was so much concerned. 



JAKED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1766-69. 4ii9 

& as he has been unmercifull to Gov'' Fitch & Yourself I never 
design to Give him rest iintill I make his Hobby Horse throw 
him into the Dirt. 

If what I have now wrote dont Effect it, I design to repub- 
lish his Letter to Gov'' Fitch which he published soon after his 
return from England in w*^ he says he had done Nothing on 
Susquehannah Affairs, & had given himself wholly up to the 
Affairs of our Gov* respecting the Stamp xict. A trusty Agent 
for the Comp''! 

Some of our side seem willing almost to take Coll Dyer in on 
our side. He is too fond of Popularity, has but few friends he 
can bring over, & has been too Cruel to be Admitted ; I had 
rather have S'' Rob* Himself. 

I think my Answer to him is pretty well Calculated. I wish 
it was out, but the Printer is very dilatory. 

I am S' T" Freind & Hum' Serv* 

Benj^ Gale. 
[To 

Jared Ingersol Esq'' 
at 
N" EEaven] 



430 JAEED liN'GEESOLL PAPERS, 1770-81. 



V. Philadelphia and Xew Haven, 1770-1781 

Mr. Ingersoll did not remove his family to Philadelphia until 
April, 1771; and in September, 1777, he returned to ISTew 
Haven, where he died in August, 1781. 

Of the few records of this period, the most interesting are 
his free and confidential letters to his nephew, revealing his 
longing for his old home while enjoying much in the varied life 
of a larger social circle. 

At the close of this section are added his son's letter on 
hearing of his death, and his epitaph. 



Letter of Dr. Jacob Ogden". 
Dear Sir, 

When 1 had the pleasure of seeing you last Summer at New- 
ark, you requested my Method of Cure in the Sore Throat Dis- 
temper, which I promised you to publish; and accordingly 
did 2 or 3 months after in the ]Srews Papers. But agreeable to 
the Request of several Gentlemen as well of the medical Pro- 
fession as others, T iDropose, as soon as I conveniently can, to 
publish a Treatise on said Disorder. And as I design to give 
a brief hystory of its fatal Effects, especially in jSTorth America, 
I beg the favor of you to inform me as soon as convenient, the 
ISTumbers as near as you can that died in IT. Haven in 1739. 
The numbers in such families where it was most fatal. And of 
the greatest Mortallity in any other Towns in your Colony, or 
Massachusetts, especially in Cambridge, and the year it was 
most fatal in that Town. And also what Success has attended 
my method of Cure in your parts since I published it. 

I also beg the favor of you to send me, if to be had among 
your Doctors, D^ Duglass's Treatise on the aforesaid Disorder. 
I had one formerly, now lost, and am not able to procure one in 
]^ew York. It shall be returned with Thanks. It may be 
ordered to be left at M"". Nich^ Hoft'mans, between Coenties & 
the Old Slip Markets, N. York. . . . 



JARED INGEKSOLL I'APEES, 1770-81. 431 

From, Sir, your old Friend tS: humble Serv\ (with my best 

regards to your good Lady) 

Jacob Ogden.* 

May 10, 1770. 
[To 

The Hon^i^ 

Jared Ingersol Esq^ 
ISTew Haven] 



Letter of Aeodi Thayer. 
Sir, 

Fearful lest something bad or disagreeable had taken place 
with your health, your Lady or son, I had set down to write by 
this post, when your obliging favor of the eighth came to hand. 

By the middle of next month I shall have the pleasure to 
wait upon your honor in the city of Philadelphia by water, God 
willing. 

"Judge Auchmuty has received no part of his Salary owing 
to the fines and forfeitures in his district not yet being brought 
to 'the King's chest." 

Mr. Sewall grows mere fond of his district ; in a late con- 
versation he told me, Sir, of being about resigning the Attorney- 
Generalship of this Province, and quitting the seat of Bar- 
risters, to attend & receive his twelve hundred pounds Sterling 
due in September. He says the Commissioners of the customs 
have money enough, the yielding of his district, to pay him, & 
some to spare over. The sign manual, or Certificate for pay- 
ment, seems hard to be procured. The Commissioners & my 
friends are so very silent I have it not in my power to com- 

* The writer was born in Newark about 1722, and was a contemporary 
of Mr. Ingersoll in College, although he did not graduate. His half-brother, 
Judge David Ogden, was graduated at Yale in 1728. 

Dr. Ogden practiced medicine in Jamaica, Long Island, and is supposed 
to have been the pioneer in introducing (about 1750) into America the 
use of mercury in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. His proposed 
treatise never appeared, although he lived until 1780. 



432 jAEED ijstgeesoll papers, 17T0-81. 

municate any thing material to your honor from this place or 
the Castle where they are — save Mr. Temple, who certainly 
hath weighty interest at the Treasury. He lives in this town. 
Mr. Robinson* is after Mr. Sewall's appointment. Franklyn, 
Sir, Lieut. Governor of i!^. Scotia, married Mrs. Robinson's 
only sister — Ladies of Fortune. t 

May I beg the favor of my Respects to your Lady and for 
Mr. Ingersoll. 

I am with all possible deference. 

Your honors most obedient humble servant 

A. Thayer. I 
Boston August 13th. [1770.] 
The hon. Mr. Ingersoll. 



Letter of Judge Augustus JoHisrsTON. 

:N'ewport 21'*. August 1770. 
Dear Sir 

Your favour of the 8*^. Instant I did not receive timely to 
send you an answer last post, as I was not in Town. Whatever 
may be the Fate of some other Things, that the People clamour 
about, I can't think the Admiralty Courts upon the late Plan 
will be abolished. I lately rec*^. a Letter from Dummer 
Andrews Esq'', from London, dated at the ISTavy Office the 5*'". 
June last, who is appointed Register of the Court established at 
Charlestown, S°. Carolina, enclosing me a Blank Deputation, 
desiring me to appoint some proper Person to act in his Behalf, 
& to agree with him respecting the Terms, as I find he is to 
reside in England. He writes me that he delayed sending it 

* Hon. John Eobinson, former Commissioner of Customs. 

t Michael Francklin, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia in 1766, mar- 
ried in 1762 Susannah, daughter of James Boutineau, of Boston; Mr. 
Eobinson married her sister Anne in 1769. 

$ Arodi Thayer, born in Braintree, Mass., in 1743, was the JNIarshal of 
the Massachusetts District of the Vice-Admiralty Court, as well as of 
Judge IngersolFs District. 



JAEED INGERSOLL PAPEES, lYYO-Sl. 433 

'til lie saw the Issue of the business in Parliament, and that he 
is now well assured from his Friends, both in, & out, that it is 
the determination of the Principals of both sides to support that 
Plan. I have not as yet rec^ any Part of my Salary. When 
I was in Boston last October, IVP. Auchmuty* showed me a Let- 
ter he had rec'^. from ]\P. Hallowellf in London enclosing him a 
copy of the minutes of the Treasury Board wherein it was 
determined, that we should be allowed our Salaries from the 
dates of our Commissions, provided we entered upon the Execu- 
tion of our Offices in six months from the date. JVP. Hollowell 
further informed M' Auchmuty that an Order would be soon 
made out for the Payment thereof, since which I have not heard 
any thing more ; but as IP. Hollowell is expected every day in 
Boston I expect by him to hear something agreeable. As soon 
as I hear any thing that concerns us, you may be assured I 
will advise you. I have not done any Business in the Office 
myself yet. I left Carolina the G*^*". of May, & a few days after 
I left it, there were two Seizures made, which have been tryed 
by my Deputy in my absence. I propose to set off for Charles- 
town the beginning of ]Srovember again, & shall stay the Winter 
there. ]VP^ Johnston joyns with me in Complim*^. to you & W\ 
Ingersoll which concludes me. 
D^ Sir 

Y^. most Obed*. hble. Serv^ 

A. Johnston 



Letter of Thomas Whately. 

Esher ll*^ Ocf 1770 
Dear Sir 

You complain of my ;N"eglect so much in your Letter of 16*^ 
August, that tho' I wrote to you in June, & nothing has since 

* Eobert Anchmuty, Jr., had been appointed Judge of Vice- Admiralty 
for the New-England district, and both he and Mr. Ingersoll were in 
active service; but Mr. Johnston does not appear ever to have actually 
held Court in Charleston. 

t Robert Hallowell of Boston was Comptroller of the Customs. 



V 



434 JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1770-81. 

occur'd, I write again to prove that I do not neglect your Cor- 
respondence. We have received the JSTews of the jSTon-importa- 
tion Scheme being broken at New- York,* the Ministry with 
Exultation, & the People with Indifference ; for we had found 
out that the Non-importation Scheme itself was a meer Bra- 
vado ; now your Merchants have found it out also; some of 
your People carried on the Trade clandestinely, while the 
Agreement subsisted ; & now who please may carry it on 
openly ; that is all the Difference ; we have exported the whole 
time large Quantities to America. The Ministers however 
rejoiced at the Dissolution of that Combination, because it 
relieved them from the Difficulty of proposing the Means to 
break it; & since, the Alarms of an approaching War have 
diverted the Attention of all from the Colonies to our own imme- 
diate Situation ; it is not yet certain, but it seems very prob- 
able, &: has all the usual Effects already. The Parliament, 
which was to meet soon, before the Intelligence came from jSTew 
York; »S: which was not to meet soon, when that Intelligence 
was received ; is now to meet in a Month on account of the 
Apprehensions of a War ; what melancholy Subjects wait for 
our Deliberation ! 

I am very glad to find that you are at last determin'd to settle 
at Philadelphia ; it was a necessary Precaution ; tho' at pres- 
ent I do not hear any Talk of the Admiralty Courts ; & I sup- 
pose we have too much Business on our hands to take them into 
consideration. D'' Johnson I conclude is sail'd, as I have not 
heard of him lately ; you will remember me to him, if you see 
him ; he is a very valuable Man ; I shall always respect him. 
The Apples you mention to have sent me, I did not receive; I 
believe very few, if any, came sound last Winter. I received 
your Letter while M^^ ISTorths happen'd to be with us ; k imme- 
diately presented your Comp*^ to them & to my Mother ; they all 
desire theirs in return. My Mother's Abode at Old Windsor 
was but temporary ; she is now fixed at Esher in Surry, about 

* The Non Importation agreement was broken by the New York mer- 
chants in July, 1770. because they were satisfied with the partial repeal of 
the Townshend Acts. 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1770-81. 435 

15 Miles from town, & eight from Nonsuch; I have spent the 
Slimmer with her; but am now going to town; continue your 
Direction to the Care of my Brother. 

Dear Sir 

Your most obed* & faithful Serv* 
Thomas Whately. 
[To the Hon^'"' 

Jared Ingersol Esq 
]^ew Haven 
Connecticut 

]^ew England] 



Letter of Wieliam Samuel Johnson. 

Stratford June 15^ 1772. 
D^ S^ 

. . . I have ever since y^ Arrival amongst us intended to 
spend a day with you at l^ew Haven if I could not get you over 
to Stratford. One way or other we must meet. The only 
thing I have to urge is that you have more leisure than I have. 
The want of leisure is almost my only misfortune-, & I have less 
now than I hope to have by & by when I have a little arranged 
my Affairs after so long neglect of them. At present I am 
absolutely engaged, but in a week or two if you cannot come 
here I will certainly ride over to IT Haven. 

I feel but too sensibly the Evils you complain of in this Col- 
ony, & know perfectly well that you impute them to their true 
Cause, an HI Judged fear of the People, which will infallibly 
ruin this fine Colony unless we can have the spirit to rise supe- 
rior to it. At present I fear few or none will do it, but such 
Men will I trust be found before it be too late to save us from 
destruction. It is in vain, as you hint, to Complain Avhile we 
should be looking out for remedies. I am extremely glad to 
find you have turn'd y^ Attention to this part of the subject. 



436 JAKED INGEESOLL PAPERS, 1770-81. 

& shall be bappj in the Communication of your thoughts upon 
it. Pray consider it in the manner the Importance of it merits. 
The sentiments of our Friends in England is a subject of too 
great length for this hasty Letter. I defer it till we meet. 
Junius Amer^ is one Jy. Lee a Virginian,* late a Physician, 
now a Lawyer, a sensible but very sanguine Man, who is Con- 
nected a little with L. Shelburne, & most heartily hates L. Hills- 
borough because Shelburne does not love him. He delights in 
the fire and fury of a Party, & is perfectly well adapted to 
please the Bostonians. These Countrymen of ours have acted 
a very Idle part, & have, inter nos, made themselves very ridicu- 
lous on both sides of the Atlantic. I am in utmost haste 
J)\ S\ Y". most obed*. 
humble Serv\ 

W". Sam\ Johnson 
[To 
Jared Ingersoll Esq"". 
'New Haven] 



Letter to Elias Shipman. 
Mr. Elias Shipman: 

Sir, — Please to keep the Homelot altogether free from 
depasturing this Fall & next Spring. In the Season get it 
mowed, next year, & put the Hay in the Barn. Get the Dung 
made by the Stable carried on the Lot & spread this Fall, and 
the Chip Dung next Spring put on the Garden. Inform Henry 
Toles, when he calls on you, by what Vessel he shall send to 
Xew York on the Way to Philadelphia, eight barrels Cider, 
which he will provide, and write a line by the Master to Mr 
William Dinning at New York to store the same & ship p' first 
Conveyance to me at Philadelphia. Call on Jonathan Inger- 
soll for Money to pay Freight &c. Prindle will bring five or 

* Arthur Lee (born 1740, died 1792) was the author of Junius 
Americanus. 



JAEED INGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1770-81. 437 

six barrels of Cider, which store in the Celhir. In the Spring- 
early rack off & put again into the same Barrels. 

Buy 30 or 40 Posts in the Course of the Winter, if you can 
conveniently, thrifty White Oak, 9 feet long, of a proper Size 
to replace those round the wood yard. Put them under the 
Hovel to Season. Enoch Baldwin has promised to bring some 
on Acco. of his N'ote. I do not depend much upon him. Sell 
Jerry's Desk ; it cost £7 ; is new ; get what you can for it. 
Perhaps it will be best to send it to Sea. 

Pay Xewman Trowbridge for 8 Barrels, for the Cider that 
Toles is to furnish. Call on Jonathan for the Money. Mr. 
Ebenezer Townsend, Junr. may call upon you for about 30 sh. 
to pay for Sticks for Trough to the House ; if so, call on Jon- 
athan for the Money. 

Lay in 20 Bushels of Oats for me next Season. Put out a 
locust Tree in the Yard near the Gate where that was which 
blew down ; also remove that in the Garden opposite the 
Kitchen about 2 feet into the Middle of the Border. In the 
Spring get a Hand to cut from the Cedar Posts in the Chaise 
Room, little pieces to drive into the Ground in the Garden & 
nail anew where 'tis wanting, the alley Boards. Let Capt. 
MaltbTe of Paug have his two, or any two old Barrels, when he 
wants to get them. 

J. Ingersoll. 
Oct^ 1772. 

[Signed and dated by Jared Ingersoll; the rest in the hand 
of his nephew, Jonathan Ingersoll.] 



Letters to Jonathan Ingersoll. 

Philadelphia ¥ov^ 22"^. 1773 
S'. 

You tell me "I have doubtless seen in the papers who are 
appointed Judges in the County Court & an Account of Co\ 
Hubbards death." I tell vou I have not seen nor heard a word 



438 JAEED INGEESOLL PAPEES, 1770-81. 

of these matters. I have seen indeed just a word in Goddards 
paper of the death of Co\ Hubbard* — and that is all ; & have, 
as you may easily guess, been greatly distressed ever since to 
know who supplied his several Offices ; and when I saw your 
Letter, knowing it was yours by the hand writing of the Super- 
scription, I feasted on the full expectation of being amply 
informed upon this head — but instead of that, I am only told, 
"that I have doubtless been informed by !N"ews papers" ! It 
would not have cost you a whit more Ink or time, to have told 
me who these persons were. As for Greens papery I have 
never seen more than one since my coming here, and that hap- 
pened to be a most barren one ; tell Green if he dont take care 
to get them to me, he must not expect I will pay him for them. 
As to our N'ews, Printers here, you know, they dont care a 
groat who is Judge of Probate, or of any thing else in that 
Country of Selectmen & Grand jurors. I assure you this dis- 
appointm' has so Chagrined me, that I recieved little, or no 
pleasure in the News of D. Lymans Marriage,! or even at Par- 
son Birds § Misfortune. Oh! dreadfull! this affair of his, 
however, upon recollection is no Laughing matter; if things 
are come to that pass, that some folks maynt say what they 
please about those they dont like, I thirds: its very hard indeed. 
All my remaining Comfort is that when the Susquehannah 
Com®, come here, I shall be able to find these and several other 
matters. 

We have not received any Letter from Jerry since being 
here, tho we have heard of him by a hint in a Letter to M'". 

* Colonel John Hubbard was partly disabled bj' a paralytic shock in 
May, 1772, and died on October 30, 1773, in his 70th year. His successor 
as Judge of Probate was John Whiting (Yale 1740), who was a brother 
of Mrs. Jared Ingersoll, and whose first wife was a sister of Jonathan 
Ingersoll. 

t Thomas Green was the publisher of the Connecticut Journal. 

t Daniel Lyman, Jr. (Yale 1770), of Few Haven, married Statira Camp 
on November 15, 1773. 

§ Eev. Samuel Bird (born 1724, died 1784) was the pastor of the White 
Haven Society in Xew Haven from 1751 to 1767, and continued to reside 
here. 



JAKED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1770-81. 439 

Keed from bis brother M'. Debert* as late as the 20*''. of 

Ang* 

We are glad to hear of the welfare of the family, to whom 
please to present our kind Compliments. I hope M^ Shipman 
has forwarded the Sider from Toles and the Cane I left at 
Beldens in my way hither. 

I am 
Y\ &c 
Jared Ingersoll. 

You dont tell me whether M'". Isaacsf has Executed the bond 
for the purpose of Spreading a little Gospel among the back 
Carolinians. Moses TuttleJ has been here lately. I imagin 
he would gladly take the Shovel in hand upon that Occasion. 
[To 

Jon*''. Ingersoll Esq'", 
at 
'New Haven 

Connecticut.] 

_ Philadelphia Dec'". 20^ 1773 

S'. 

it never can rain but it must pour — is an old saying. You 
have told me at last who is Judge of Probate and all that, when 
the Connect*. Plenipo's§ have been able to tell me that and 

* Joseph Reed, a prominent young lawyer in Philadelphia, had married 
in 1770 a daughter of Dennis De Berdt, of London, the Colonial Agent of 
Massachusetts. 

t Ralph Isaacs (Yale 1761) Avas a prosperous and high-spirited mer- 
chant in Xew Haven, one of whose daughters subsequently married 
Jonathan Ingersoll. He was a prominent adherent of the Church of 
England. 

I Moses Tuttle (Yale 1745) was an eccentric Congregational preacher, 
now living in Windsor, Connecticut, but always in financial straits. 

, § Eliphalet Dyer, William Samuel Johnson, and Jedidiah Strong, mem- 
bers of a committee appointed by the Connecticut General Assembly in 
October, 1773, to treat with the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania concern- 
ing the Connecticut claim to certain lands in the western part of that 
Province, conferred with Governor Penn at Philadelphia in December, and 
printed a Report of their mission in 1774. 



440 JAEED i:srGEESOLL PAPERS, 1770-81. 

twenty times as much. T have had a pretty agreeable as well as 
plentifull meal upon the whole. 

these Gentlemen will be able to tell yon in few words, the 
number & Kind of Agreements which they have brought M"^ 
Penn to Enter into with them, respecting y*' Connect*^ Claim. 

I have recieved a Letter from Son dated Sepf . 8*^^. ; he sais he 
hopes you will be the better for M^ Hilhouses* proposition 
(here I find he is mistaken) but says you never can hope to 
rise on the political List if you fire guns late at night & walk 
before Sunset on Sabbath days — and that his only Comfort is 
that you are not as yet quite so bad as they are in France 
where he says he has seen em after Service in the Country 
dancing to the Violin — the Priest himself playing at hun- 
dreds — and Card-playing, at the Taverns — oh ! terrible — but 
they are Roman Catholicks — Rank Papists^ — & so one cannot 
much wonder at any thing they do. — Jerry was just setting out 
with a ]VP Henry,! a Templer from Maryland, upon a tour 
to Portsmouth, Bath, BristoU, Oxford & Cambridge, and then 
says, he finds he shall spend so much time this year in travailing 
that he suspects he shall want another year to study in. 

the reciept which Jerry took from Cap*. Clarke for Floyds 
money, is not here. I hope you will be able to find it ; if you 
shall, let me know it, for my Ingersoll temper will not allow me 
to be quite Easy until I know how the matter stands. 

the Sider is arrived here — desire M"" Shipman to Enquire 
out the Cane. 

But one word about tea. We have just heard that a tea 
Ship is arrived at Charlestown S° Carolina ; and what is worse, 
that the Boston tea has found its way into Town notwithstand- 
ing all the blood which the Boston people Declared they — 
intended — to Spill upon the Occasion. I hope this Story is not 
true — indeed, now I think ont, it cannot be true, for here is a 
Man from Boston sent on purpose to tell us what Clever fellows 
they are, and to watch iis to see that we do our duty; never 

* James Abraham Hillhouse (Yale 1749), a leading lawyer in New 
Haven, and at this time one of the Upper House in the Colony Assembly. 

t John Henry (born 1750, died 1798), a graduate of Princeton College 
(1769), afterwards Senator and Governor of Mai-vland. 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, lTTO-81. 441 

fear iis, we say but little, but we are as firm as so many rocks. 
Our Ship has not yet been heard of, but she is never to touch a 
wharf in this place nor be allowed to take out anybodys goods. 
Dont let what I have said upon this head get into the Boston 
Spy* — for if it should, some people will Spy high Treason, in 
every Avord ; besides, to tell the truth, I have a little feeling for 
America upon this Occasion — as much as a Judge of Admiralty 
is allowed to have. Master Pope, you know, says — ^whatever is 
is right ; I will try to be of his opinion. 

I am &c 

J. Ingersoll. 

M'' Johnson tells ine your father is mending which I rejoice 
to hear ; remember me to him in much Affection. 

24'''. poor IVP Babcocklf Oh dear! Sic transit gloria 
Mundi. 

25''\ Oh brave BostonJ — If you and I are not furnished 
with a little bit in our way, after this, I shall wonder. I wish 
you a Merrv Christmas. 
[To 

Jon^\ Ingersoll Esq"". 
at 

K Haven.] 



Letter to the Editors of the Coin'necticut Journal. 

Messi'rs Greens, 

Please to insert the following in your next, as my answer to 
all that has been, or that may hereafter be published, in the 'New 
London, or other newspapers in Connecticut, respecting me, and 

* The Massachusetts Spy was the title of an intensely patriotic weekly 
paper published since March, 1771, by Isaiah Thomas in Boston. 

t Colonel Henry Babcock (Yale 1752), of Stonington, Connecticut, had 
begun to show symptoms of insanity. 

I The final postscript was added after receipt of the news of the tea 
having been thrown overboard in Boston harbor on the evening of 
December 16. 



442 JAEED IlSrGEESOLL PAPERS, 1770-81. 

the part I have taken in the affair of the Susquehannah Com- 
pany.* 

When I went to England in 1758, a gentleman,! since 
deceased, for whom I had the highest esteem, fu^'nished me with 
a copy of the act of assembly in favour of the Susquehannah 
Company, desiring that I would inform myself, in the best 
manner I could, of the sentiments of people in power, and others 
in England, upon the matter ; this I took care to do, and upon 
my return home in 1761, I communicated to the Company, by 
letter fully and frankly, what I had met with, and as every 
thing I had to communicate wore a very discouraging aspect, I 
took the liberty to advise them to give up early, a project, which, 

I thought in the end must prove abortive. 

This step brought upon me a suspicion, among many of the 
adventurers, that I had been bribed in England, by Mr. Penn. 
A story which however idle and groundless, many of these peo- 
ple have been fond of believing; or pretending to believe, ever 
since. — The affairs of that Company have taken various turns 
since that time; through the whole of which, I have never 
taken any part, or troubled myself with their concerns, until 
the last summer, when being at my former home, at Xew- 
Haven, I accidentally met with a pamphlet wrote on the side of 
the Susquehannah Claim, addressed to J. H. Esquire : in this 
performance T found mention made of antient memorials 
respecting the history and title of the colony, some of which 
were quite new to me^this put me upon searching more fully 
into the matter, the consequence of which was, that I became 
more convinced than ever of the groundlessness of the colony's 
claim to the western lands ; and in order to preserve the train 
of my own ideas of the matter, I committed them to writing. 

The materials and papers which I had thus collected, I 
obtruded upon none; at the same time I shewed them freely to 
every one who desired to see them, and one of the Susquehannah 
Gentlemen took a complete copy of the piece, which I wrote, and 

* The Connecticut Gazette, of New London, had published on February 

II some reflections on Mr. Ingersoll for liaving cast aspersions on the 
Susquehannah settlers. 

t Mr. Edwards [note by the author]. This was Judge Daniel Edwards 
(Yale Coll. 1720), of Hartford, born 1701, died 1765. 



.TARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1770-81. 443 

I own I should have been happy, if by these, or any other means, 
the assembly had been prevented from taking the steps which 
they have since taken. 

When I came to Philadelphia, I said nothing to any one of 
my having any papers relating to this matter; bnt after a few 
weeks it became known that I had such papers ; when Dr. 
Smith the Provost of the College here, came to me and requested 
a sight of them, informing me that he was writing upon the 
subject of the Susquehannah Claim — other Gentlemen applied 
to me to the same purpose. — At first I declined doing any thing 
in the matter, merely from motives of my own quiet, and to 
avoid a quarrel with the Susquehannah people, who I knew 
were always disposed to think the worst of every thing I said or 
did relating to their affairs. I determined at least not to take 
any steps until after the Gentlemen Committee had had their 
treaty with the Governor. 

In the mean time I considered of the matter — I was told that 
the colony claim to the western lands was now become a serious 
affair to this province — that every material paper of a public 
nature ought to be known to both the parties, and that I ought 
to consider myself in my present situation, as equally a friend 
to both — in a word, I found that I was in danger of giving 
umbrage by witholding, as well as by giving up the papers. 
Further, I recollected that several Gentlemen in Connecticut, in 
high estimation for their friendship to America in general, as 
well as to that colony in particular, had expressed their wishes 
to me, to have the whole of this matter laid open to the public 
view, by some person who was not in the Susquehannah interest, 
that so the public might have a chance of seeing both sides of 
the question ; and finally I was aware, from experience, that in 
case I should communicate nothing, I should be suspected of 
communicating every thing, and even more than everything 
that I knew. — Upon the whole therefore, I concluded to deliver 
to Dr. Smith, to be published, the records and papers which 
were in nature of proofs, as I had been able to collect them, 
taking care to publish every thing that I thought material, as 
well for, as against the claim. — I also gave him the manuscript, 
which I had wrote upon the subject, for him to take from thence. 



444 JAEED INGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1770-81. 

and make use of any of mj thonghts upon the matter, or not, as 
he should think proper."^ And I cannot but think mv conduct 
in these particulars, has been right. 

Thus much then I have done, and now I have nothing more 
to do — the public measures are taken, and I suppose are to be 
pursued, and I will leave to time to discover, who have been 
the colony's best friends, those who have urged, or those who 
have disswaded from these measures — A defeat will be very 
detrimental, but a victory must be absolute ruin to the colony, 
at least, I think so — And who shall hinder me from speaking, or 
publishing my sentiments, if I am disposed to do either ? Will 
any one presume to interpose his authority, in a squabble about 
a tract of land, and command that nothing shall be wrote or 
'^' said, except on one side only ? Or do those who are loudest in 
the cry for the freedom of the press, mean that the press should 
be free only for themselves ? Away with all such language — 
and away with all low squibbing, and base insinuation. 

I am not in the secret of the counsels of this province, nor am 
I actuated by any liTcrative or sinister views. — I have believed 
the people were going wrong, therefore have I spoken. — I have 
an interest in the colony and have a right to speak ; and I wish, 
since there is like to be a dispute between the two colonies, that 
the same may be carried on, on both sides, with a temper and 
spirit becoming men, who shall appear to act from principle, 
and not from wild enthusiasm, or party heat. There are cer- 
tain people at this time, who if a word is said against dear 
Susquehannah, behave as if they thought an open attack was 
made upon their honour and their property; and impute all 
that is said to the worst motives — They can charge nothing of 
the kind upon me, but what I may just as well charge upon 
them, with this difference however, that they have confessedly 
a personal interest in the matter, when I have none. — I am 

* Dr. William Smith published in 1774, in the Appendix to his (anony- 
mous) Examination of the Connecticut Claim to Lands in Pennsylvania, 
the copies made by Mr. Ingersoll from original papers. 

A manuscript entitled The Claim of the people of Connecticut, to Lands 
within the Province of Pensilvania, Considered, is preserved among Mr. 
Ingersoll's papers, but it has not been thought necessary to print it here. 



JAREB IXGERSOLL PAPERS, 1770-81. 445 

aware that people who take opposite sides of a popular ques- 
tion naturally fall into parties, and a party spirit is apt to gain 
ground— but this again is mutual. Was the dispute about the 
constitutional rights and liberties of the people, great allowances 
might be made — but this is a controversy about property and 
provincial lines — ^Will it be said that as I have no interest of my 
own, I ought not to meddle in the matter, but I have an interest 
in the colony, and with its welfare — Further, what have I done 
that so alarms these gentlemen ? I have divulged no secrets 
committed to my trust- — I have only brought up to public view, 
a few more ancient records than they themselves published — 
and will any one of those people openly avow to the world, that 
they would willingly, if they could, attain a cause of this mag- 
nitude and complexion, by the suppression of records, which, 
from the circumstances their antagonists could not come at ? 
they might as well move the assembl,y to destroy all the records 
which make against their claim. What I wrote upon the sub- 
ject is of no consequence, if the reasonings are not just, and if 
they are, I think they ought to have a weight. 

Shame on those then, who under feigned names, in news 
papers, attack those who venture to oppose them — not with 
arguments — this would be fair and right — but with abuse, and 
even with intimidation. 

They don't consider that it is equally in the power of others, 
to trace the conduct of the principal leaders and managers 
among the Susquehannah company, through all their negotia- 
tions for twenty 3'ears past, and with the help of a few ground- 
less reports- — ill natured hints — -and wicked innuendoes, to 
explain their motives — their views — and their conduct, in a 
manner, that would do them little honour ; but I will not 
myself so far forget the rights of humanity as to follow the vile 
example. 

Philadelphia, 
March 7, 1774 

J. L 

From The Connecticut Journal, and the New-Haven Post-Boy, 
March 18, 1774. 



446 jaeed ingeesoll tapers, 1770-81. 

Letters to Jonathan Ingersoll. 

Philadelphia March 12, 1774 

Yonrs of the 27*^*^. Ult. arrived two days ago. I am much 
obliged to you for the Sundries by way of ISTews & shall observe 
your Caution. The Councils of this Province are very Secret. 
The people here are all of one mind as to the Connecticut Claim, 
and they leave to the Gov'. & his Council to devise the proper 
methods to oppose the Same, about which, I assure you, they 
say nothing to me or I to them. A Scurilous piece or two 
having appeared ag^^ me in the ISTew London paper, I thought 
proper to send a short N^arrative to be published in that and the 
!N"ew Haven paper, which I suppose you will see next week. 
Our news publishers here I find do not republish any thing 
wrote upon the subject in Connecticut. I cannot but think the 
iissembly of your Colony were guilty of an imprudence little 
short of madness, when they passed the Votes of last Jan'', mak- 
ing & planting a Town in this Province,* and I think it is a 
great Chance if you dont live to see much greater Consequences 
flow from it, than most people are aware of. The people here 
begin to Consider the ISTorthern N"ew England men as a Set of 
Goths & Vandals who may one day overun these Southern 
Climes unless thoroughly opposed, and to this End they will 
naturally Court the friendship of the Mother Country. 

I dont know of any thing that appears more likely to work a 
Seperation of the Colony Interests, than this Step. 'New York 
looks with a jealous eye on the Massachusetts, expecting that 
^ they will follow the Example of Connecticut, & I suspect it will 
not be very long, before these several Colonies will hate even old 
England, less than they will one another. 

the following is the history of "Russell" and the late pub- 
lications here. The Collector awhile ago made a Seizure of one 
of the river Vessells called a Shallop for a Cause that is very 
interesting to the people in trade. Great preparations have 
been making and the Cause is expected to come on in about a 

* Westmoreland, in the Wyoming country. 



JAEED INGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1Y70-81. 4-iY 

fortnight. This threw the Town into a fret. Russell proves 
to be a Isr Jacob Rush,* a young Gentleman of the Law and 
with whom Jerry had some little Acquaintance. This M'' 
Rush by all accounts is not wanting in his Understanding, but 
is so overloaded with a family disorder commonly called Vanity & 
Self Conceit, that he is seeking every opportunity of rendring 
himself famous, but hitherto without Effect. He had heard 
so much said in ISTews papers about the Extension of the pow- 
ers of Admiralty Courts that he thought there must needs be 
something in it, & so went gravely to work to shew his pro- 
found Tvearning in evincing it. This gave me an opportunity, 
under the signature of Civis, of shewing his Mistake, and I 
am credibly informed that ]\F Rush's own freinds advised him 
to drop the Controversy. The Consequence of the whole, I 
beleive, has been the fixing me more surely in my office ; indeed, 
however, the people here, as every where else, are disposed not 
over much to like Courts of Admiralty, so far as they have any 
thing to do with Seizures, upon the late Obnoxious Acts, yet 
they know that if there should come a war, they would want 
such Court, and they know their own interest too well to wish 
to have this Court of x\ppeal carried away from themselves to 

^ew York or elsewhere 

1^. &c. 

J. Ingersoll. 
The Jersey College Lottery begins drawing the 25^^ May. 

[To 

Jon*^. Ingersoll Esq"", 
at 

!N'ew Haven 

Connecticut.] 

* Jacob Rush, born 1746, died 1820, a younger brother of Dr. Benjamin 
Rush, and a graduate of Princeton College in 1765. He became a lawyer 
of distinction in Philadelphia, and Chief Justice of the State. » 

The article by him, signed 'Russel,' appeared in The Pennsylvania 
Journal for January 26, 1774; Mr. Ingersoll's reply, signed 'Civis,' in the 
same paper for February 2; and a second article by 'Russel' in the 
Journal of February 9, and also in The Pennsylvania Gazette of the same 
date. 



4:48 JAEED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1770-81. 

Philadelphia Ocf. 24'^ 1774 

Present my Comp^ to M'', Chandler* & tell him 
that if you forgot to acquaint me with his being chosen Deputy, 
]\P. Shipman did not — and that I had the pleasure to acquaint 
M". Sherman with it. By the way Co\ Dyer & M". Dean & I, 
have smoakt the pipe together at my house, f 

tell ]VP. Chandler I sincerely congratulate him on this his 
Success, and that I must suppose he owes the same in part to 
his so openly keeping my Company last Summer. Here again, 
to what you observe of my not being very well received here — 
if I am not, I have the pleasure not to know it ; my friends & 
Acquaintance are just as they used to be, as to other persons, 
whatever they think of me, they keep it to themselves. | 

And now what shall T say to you further? I intended to 
have wrote largely by the Delegates to ]\P. Whiting§ & other 
friends, but I find myself under a difficulty in that respect, both 
with regard to them & you, for whatever I write must Savour of 
politicks at least, and as to that, I have first of all to remember 
Lots Wife — that is Parson Peters, || & to take care not to sin 
after the Similitude of his transgression — but then how to 
avoid this is the question, for if I write the word Yes ever so 
plainly, good people have a right at this day, to read the same 
as plainly No. Every one has his Eyes & his thoughts fixt just 
now upon the Congress, anxious to know what they have 
done — what they have said — and what they have thought. 
]^othing else therefore can amuse you ; but as to the first 

* Joshua Chandler (Yale 1747) was one of the deputies to the Con- 
necticut General Assembly from New Haven in October, 1774. 

t Roger Sherman, Eliphalet Dyer, and Silas Deane were members from 
Connecticut of the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia. 

t Silas Deane in a letter to his wife writes on September 3, 1774, of 
finding that Mr. Ingersoll is much condemned by public opinion in Phila- 
delphia. See Collectioiis of the Connecticut Historical Society, ii, 170. 

§Deacoi»& Judge John Whiting (Yale 1740), a brother of the writer's 
wife. 

II Eev. Samuel Peters (Yale 1757), of Hebron, Connecticut, had exposed 
himself in August and September, 1774, to visitation by angry neighbors on 
account of disloyal utterances, and had now taken refuge with the British 
in Boston. 



JAEED INGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1770-81. 449 

I dont know wliat they have done, that is I dent know it 
authoritatively, & if I were to undertake to tell you a long Story 
of what I have heard it — & then to morrow out should come in 
print all that they have done, & differing in several particulars 
from my account of the matter, I shall be charged at once with 
having had some sinister views in telling the Story as I 
did — and why should I trouble you with guesses of what they 
have said, & thought, when the Delegates themselves are coming 
directly to you and will themselves inform you of the whole 
matter. I will therefore only acquaint you in general, that I 
understand they have sat till they have found out pretty clearly, 
that the Parliament have no kind of Authority over us, tho for 
prudential reasons they are willing that some of their Laws y 
respecting the Course of trade should remain for the present, 
that is, as I understand, till they can do better; and that they 
have adjourned themselves to next Spring in order to see how 
the people on either Side the water will Relish their politicks. 
I could tell you long Stories of what one said, and another had 
a good mind to say — but I wont ; You must find it out by your 
learning. Tell Green not to forget to send my paper. 
I am 
Y". &c 

J. Tngersoll 

. . . Let me know as soon as you can how the nomina- 
tion stands. 

25*^. . . . Pray tell me whereabouts in the Green Lib- 
erty pole stands and who are the principal members of the 
Patriotick Club which meet at Steph : Munsons in order to take 
care of the IST. Haven Tories. ' John Sherman I perceive by the 
publick papers, is Clerk. 

A ]\P. Devotion was at my house last Evening and gave me the 
particulars of the Norwich meeting; the Story of my Letter 
writing I find by him came to nothing upon Examination. Co\ 
Dyers tells me he never did hear much said upon that Score; 
it was Parson Trumbull who Communicated my Treasonable 
principles & Conduct to y^ good people of the East. The 
15 



450 JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1770-81. 

Anonymous Letter was wrote from l^orwich but the persons 
name is witheld from me. 

I perceive one poor lad has sacrificed his life at Southington 
in the Cause of Liberty-Pole 

the Delegates will, I believe, break up to-morrow. 
[To 

Jon*^ : Ingersoll Esq^ 
at 

I^: Haven 
p^ favour of 

R: Sherman Esq'.] 

Philadelphia ll*^ Feb: 1775 
S' 

Your Aunt thanks you for a little, of what she hoped to 
have had a great deal, viz home news ; but says she finds she 
must not expect much till you & I both get politicks out of our 
heads. 

in answer to your queries I have to inform you in the first 
place, that it is well known here, that M'' Dickinson in the 
Provincial Congress the last Summer, took a Strong part 
against non importation agreements, and every kind of forcible 
measure, and was for moderation, that is for a Decent & firm 
application for a redress of gTeivances ; in a spirited Speech 
which he made upon that Occasion he told the Com'^^ that Phil- 
ad^, was a trading City, and that if they went into Schemes of 
non importation they might expect to have grass grow in their 
Streets. He afterwards went into the Continental Congress, 
tho' late in their Session, where he joined and took a part with 
them in their System, and is appointed one of the Com*'^. to 
carry thier resolves into Execution, but seldom, if ever, attends 
thier meetings — and in general is very Silent upon the head of 
politicks. 

the more warm Patriots are rather out with him for the part 
he took in the Provincial Congress last Aug*., and for his 
Seeming want of Zeal Since; yet they are fond of having it 
thought he is of their side, for the sake of that weight which 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1Y70-81. 451 

they think his name & Caracter give to their Cause — and they 
Account for his not attending on thier Com**, meetings, and 
perhaps justly, from his living three Miles out of Town, 
and the Season disagreeable for travailing. Add to this, that 
he may Consider himself rather above putting his hand to the 
executive part of the business, and that his name. was added to 
the Com*®, principally to give them a weight and respectibility ; 
others will have it that he Spoke his real Sentiments in the 
Provincial Congress last Summer, and that in his Judgment 
he disapproves the Violent part of the resolutions of the gen- 
eral Congress and is much Alarmed at the Consequences which 
he apprehends from them; but that he joined, or rather acqui- 
esced in those measures in order to give weight & force to the 
Counsels of America & to prevent the ill Effects of a disunion. 

the Quakers have, not long since, publickly disavowed all 
unwarrantable Combinations; it is said they are not all of a 
mind as to this Step ; at the same time it is well known they 
never openly disagree, or divide one from another. 

the Committees of the Several Counties, except one that 
declined coming, were lately Convened at this place, in order, 
among other things, to Consider of the expediency of arming the 
Province. This measure was Considerably and openly opposed 
by many people of weight & influence, and the matter dropt. 
The Com*®, indeed passed a Vote that they would arm if neces- 
sary, but the measure is generally Considered as given up. 

in the meantime the body of the people so far give in to the 
Ideas of the Congress, respecting Trade, as to suffer the Com*®, 
without any interruption to proceed to carry into Execution 
their plan of opposition, from that quarter, & wait to have you 
!N"ew England men drive the English Troops into the Sea, when- 
ever you shall think it proper, and when you have done this I 
beleive we mean to deal generously with you, and reward you 
properly for your trouble. 

I have received several letters lately from Jerry who I dare 
say has Communicated nothing to me, of Substance, but what 
he has also Communicated to you. It is a time of anxious & 
most important expectation. We shall soon have all our Con- 



452 JARED IN^GEESOLL PAPERS, 1770-81. 

jectures fully explained to us. I only wish matters may end 
better than my present fears Suggest. 

Ridgfield* I find speak their mind plainly and not in 
parables. I delay giving an}^ directions about buying Oats, 
because I dont know whether I shall Choose to be placed in Xew 
England or not, next Summer. 

I expect to be able to form a better Judgment of y® matter by 
the beginning of April at farthest. 
I am 
Y^^ &c 

J. Ingersoll. 
[To 

Jon^^ : Ingersoll Esq^ 
at 

]^: Haven 
in Connecticut.] 



Philadelphia March 10*\ 1775 
S^ 

You judged very right when you thought I wished to know 
what your Assembly were about. Your Aunt had jogged me 
several times to call on you for information, but I told her, I 
was very sure you would not fail to Communicate Every thing 
that was proper to be Communicated and as soon as it should 
be proper. ISTever was that House Employed on a more impor- 
tant or a more delicate & Critical business. The same thing 
may be said of the highest Assembly in the E"ation. We have 
here just arrived some Accounts from England a little flatter- 
ing ; you will see what it is in the next weeks papers ; it is what 
comes by the way of Bristoll. For my part I dont stand to 
make any remarks upon the prologue or the detached parts of 
the great Scene that must soon fully open upon us. I Charge 
you however at the Close of the Session, to give me a pretty 

* At a Town Meeting held in Ridgefield, Connecticut (where Mr. Inger- 
soll's brother was the minister), on January 30, 1775, resolutions of 
loyalty to the King had been passed by a large majority. 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1770-81. 453 

ample Account of persons, as well as things, as they Stood in 
the Assembly. You may depend on my prudence to the point 
of Secrecy; besides there are scarce any persons here, who 
know or think any thing about individuals with you; add to 
this, Every thing will come out, that is transacted in so large a 
popular Assembly. Your I*3'arritive in your last gave me very 
particular pleasure. Pray why is not Danbury as deep in 
the dirt, as poor Ridg-iield & ISrewtown are in the mire ? 
According to Rivington they ought to be so. 

Your Aunt & I jump in Judg-ment intirely with M"". Silli- 
man & J\!P^ N^oyes, in their opinion of the propriety of their 
Coming together* — & we wonder how we came not to think of it 
before : to whom present our respectfull Compliments, with our 
sincere & hearty wishes for their United happiness. . . . • . 

M^ Websterf desires you will procure & send to me for him, 
the Queries from the Board of Trade 1773 to your GoV. and 
the Answers, which it seems are printed in a small Pamphlet. 
You must send it w^ith wrapper open at Each End & get it 
Frank'd by M""'. Kilbyt or it will come to hand too- dear. 

You will obser^'e that I give no directions about laying in 
oats this year — not being yet clear that ISTew Haven will be a 
proper asylum next Summer for a Tory, and yet I think I 
ought to pass for a Patriot, for I have drank no Tea since 
March came in — thin Chocolate in the morning, & Baume & 
Sage in the afternoon, are the honourable & healthy Substitutes ; 
to tell the truth I was willing to try an Alterative this Spring 
in favour of the blood. I suspect you & I too can tell better a 
month hence how the times are like to be at IST Haven the next 
Summer, than we can just now. 

Every thing here is very quiet outwardly, tho' tis said the 
workings of party are not wanting amongst us. We do things 

*Gold Selleck Silliman (Yale 1753), of Fairfield, married in May, 1775 
(being then a widower), Mary (Fish), widow of John Noyes (Yale 1753), 
of Xew HaA'en. They were the parents of Professor Benjamin Silliman. 

t Pelatiah Webster (Yale 1746), of Philadelphia, later became widely 
known as an authority on economic and financial questions. 

t Captain Christopher Kilby, Postmaster at New Haven, died on March 
1. 1774; and the office remained with his family until January, 1775. 



454 JAKED INGEKSOLL PAPEES, 1770-81. 

more Covertly and with less noise here than they do in j!^ew 
England. I trust in Case the Connecticut forces should be 
called forth against the Kings Troops, that you will not degrade 
yourself by going in a Caracter below that of a Colonel. 

by the way a Pamphlet is lately come out Entituled A Candid 
Examination of the mutual Claims of G. Britain and the Colo- 
nies &c said to be Compiled principally by M"" Galloway* ; as I 
happen to have two of these I send you one f rankt by the Post. 
M' Galloway I understand openly inveighs against the ruling 
party in the Congress. 

the Secretary of State for America has sent a Circular Letter, 
it seems, to the Governours letting them know that his Majesty 
was ready to receive any Petitions upon the score of Greeiv- 
ances, that should come from the respective Assemblies, which 
at least strongly implied that Congressional Petitions would not 
be so agreeable. The Gov^ of this Province lately laid the Let- 
ter to him of that nature before the house of Assembly for their 
Information. This brought on a question whether the house 
would Petition the King or Parliament or not. M^. Galloway 
was very strong in favour of the motion ; however it was over- 
uled. The Assembly tell the Gov^ that they think the Petition 
preferred by the Congress is sufficient. In the Debate upon 
this Subject I am told Rivingtonf was somehow mentioned with 
a Sneer, perhaps Alluding to his being supposed to have been 
Employed by Galloway, upon which ]\P. Galloway said, Riv- 
ington was an honour to his Country. I suppose no man in K 
England dares say so much 

T find Fairfield County Com*'^®^ talk the language of Patriots : 
are they really so, excepting the excepted, or not? Are Nor- 
wich people in general really & in Earnest Engaged to Stop all 
Ex : & im : &c ? pray give me a gentle touch upon this head — 
and upon as many other heads as you can possibly croud into 

* Joseph Galloway, a prominent lawyer of Philadelphia, who had long 
been Speaker of the Provincial Assembly, but now and henceforth an 
active Tory. 

t James Rivington, an English bookseller, who came to America in 1760, 
in 1773 established a newspaper in New York, which remained the organ 
of the British until that city was evacuated. 



JARED INGEBSOLL PAPERS, 1Y70-81. 455 

Yonr whole Sheet. Remember yon place your lines at a great 
distance from one another. 

Y^^ <&rc 

J : Ingersoll. 
[To 

Jon*^: Ingersoll Esq"". • 
at 

IST : Haven 

Connecticut.] 

Philadelphia March SS**^. 1775 
S' 

Yonr Annt & I thank you kindly for yonr last — it was a feast 
of good things, and a plentifnll repast. Yon are desired in 
yonr next to give some Account of Th: Wooster* ; and here 
before I go farther and while I think of it I have to inform 
you that Jerrys last to me bears date the 22*^. of DecemV. at 
which time he had little to say on the Score of politicks, save 
only that he had received the proceedings of the Congress, which 
I sent him, that he had read the same with a mixture of 
surprize, hope, & fear, and that no body could know, until 
after the holidays, what measures would be persued toward 
America. 

Your Aunt thinks she cannot get along comfortably through 
the Summer without at least paying a Visit to her 'New Haven 
friends. You are therefore to Desire IVF. Shipman to lay in 
forty bushels of Oats as Usual & which you must pay for. I 
shall come with her or not according as business & other Cir- 
cumstances will admit. I fancy I shall be able to tell pretty 
nearly how those matters will stand by the middle or latter 
end of May. Your Aunt is afraid you dont in a formal manner 
remember her to her Brother & his family, M^ Whittelsey & 
his & to all our particular friends, so if yon please you may go 
the rounds like a lister or Surveyer of highways & deliver the 

* Thomas Wooster (Yale 1768), son of General David and Mary (Clap) 
Wooster (the latter being the child of a first cousin of the writer's wife), 
was a shopkeeper in New Haven. 



456 JARED INGEESOLL PAPERS, 1770-81, 

Message in the most particular & polite manner ; as you are an 
Ingersoll, I know it will be a most acceptable piece of Service 
to you. 

I am &c 

J : Ingersoll. 
[To 
Jon*'^. Ingersoll Esq^. 
at 

:N": Plaven 

Connecticut] 

Pliilad" : Aug'. 1 : 1775 

s^ 

I Set down to write you a Letter, because M'^. Sherman your 
Neighbour is going home and because it would appear Strange 
not to Embrace so good an opportunity of writing to an old 
acquaintance, and yet I have nothing to say to you : hard ! is it 
not ? I at head Quarters where more great and important 
Steps are taken than perhaps were Ever taken by the National 
Council itself, and yet every thing Carried on so Secretly that 
we See and Know but in part, and the little we do know we dont 
think it best to communicate, or even to comment upon. Very 
hard this ! for people who love News as well as Some Folks do. 

You dont write your Aunt any more about the times with 
you. She thinks & talks a good deal about New Haven. As for 
me, I dont know what to tell you. I pretty much expect to hear 
soon from England such things as will render it very probable 
that this Country will be a troublesome one to live in, & yet 
foreseeing the evil, I do not hide myself or flee from it. I am 
Conscious of having done no wrong to my Country & so I am 
inclined to fear none from it. Add to this that my present Sit- 
uation which is Easy, and my native love of ease, not to say my 
Laziness, keep me from taking any Steps to alter my Situation ; 
at the same time I consider myself like a Saint of old, as a Pil- 
grim and Stranger in the Earth having no Abiding City. 

Pray be so good as to write us a line informing how Mr. 
Whiting gets along, and how — Every body get along. In short 



JAEED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1770-81. 457 

Avrite all you can or may write & let us dream the rest. You 
certainly may tell us whether Mr. Daggett is married or not,* 
that being a Question that has been asked and answered for a 
great while in the best as well as the worst of times ; and I 
cannot doubt but that you may inform of many more such mat- 
ters which may appear to you to be trifling, but you may be 
assured that they are not so to us ; for every thing that respects 
Kew Haven carries a kind of importance with it. 

I would ask you how Dr. Johnson gets along if I dare, & 
whether Mr. Hillhouse dont think, all things considered, that 
the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth. 
Tell him if a man will live righteously he must suffer some kind 
of persecution. 

Present our Comp^ to all friends. 

I am &c 

J. Ingersoll. 
Jonth. Ingersoll, Esqr. 

^ Philad". Ocf. 7'\ 1775 

I duly received your favour of the first, and am glad to find 
that you & M^ Whiting are so far recovered from your late 
indisposition, & at the same time am Sensibly touched for M' 
Hillhouses declining state of health. f In my opinion, when- 
ever he dies, the world will lose a Valuable member of Society. 

I am glad to be informed that M'^ Shipman can continue in 
my house through the Winter without detriment to his affairs. 
I hope he will think of nothing else. In the meantime, he and 
you & I too will see who will offer to take his place next Spring, 
who will be agTeeable. The same thing w^hich you suggest with 
respect to the Gentleman I mentioned to M'' Shipman, occurred 
to me, but I hoped better things than to indulge the thought; 

* President Naphtali Daggett (Yale 1748), of Yale College, had been a 
Avidower since March, 1772. but did not again marry. 

t James Abraham Hillhouse (Yale 1749), an eminent citizen of New 
Haven, died four days before the date of this letter. 



4:58 JAEED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1770-81. 

however I at this time pretty much give into his & your Senti- 
ments about the matter. So we will thini: of some other less 
exceptionable person. Oh Shame to the times which oblige me 
to apply such an expression to so good a man ! 

I am not anxious about the political Caracter of the family 
who shall occupy the house, but you know I should not like to 
have it abused by the Tenant — and for many reasons shall not 
be willing to have the same stand Empty. 

Who knows what next Spring may bring forth — perhaps I 
may Enjoy it myself — tho' Alass ! the prospect is not very flat- 
tering. 

I believe by the Accounts I have received we have had a 
more cool, and in that respect a more agTceable Summer here, 
than you have had nor has it been remarkably Sickly here. 
The next lies as yet in the womb of Unknowns. 

I hope you are out in your guess about Sons Letter to you, as 
you have been quite misinfonned with respect to me. I enjoy, 
thank Heaven, an undisturbed repose & have good reason to 
believe the same may Continue. Your Aunt joins in Comp^ to 
all friends. 

I am &c 

J : Ingersoll. 
[To 

Jon"\ Ingersoll Esq^ 
at 

N: Haven 

Connecticut.] 



Philad^ Decern!/. 30'^ 1775 
S^ 

I have to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 3*^. & also 
that of the 11*^. p''. W. Sherman. My last to you very much 
anticipates anything I have to say on the Score of Letting my 
house. Your Aunt will not incline to live with a family to 
whom she is an intire Stranger, if with any. I believe there- 
fore that business must be left till the Spring. 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1T70-81. 459 

poor ]\r. Douglass !* what unexpected Attacks has death 
made of late in iN'ew Haven? I sometimes think all mj^ old 
Acquaintance will be gone without my Seeing 'em again. 
Indeed how another Summer will dispose of us all, if living, 
is more than I can tell you. We had an agreeable day with 
Co\ Hubbardf lately, & from him were able to get our fill of 
home intelligence; we thought we had askt him so many ques- 
tions that none were omitted, but we have since found out that 
we overlookt some pretty material ones. Had it not been for 
him we should never have known that Sal : Sloan J was mar- 
ried ; I suppose if her Aunt Peggy, or even Cous. Mabel Trow- 
bridge should marry, you would not think it worth while to tell 
a body of it. Apropos of marrying, you intimate in your last, 
that was it Convenient you should be glad to marry yourself § in 
order to accommodate your Aunt, and you bring the matter over 
again and tell us that you should be glad to marry on other 
accounts also. ]^ow we are sadly put to it to guess what those 
other accounts are 

go directly to Mess^ Greens k stop my paper. I have never 
received it more than twice since the ISTew Post was set up — 
and it failed very often before. 

Money you say, you get none for me. This is hard when 
there is such a plenty of it Stirring, Especially in jST England, 
where you do all the fighting, & consequently get all or most of 
the Cash. Jemmy Lockwood — (I beg Jemmys pardon) Major 
Lockwood,|| I suppose is by this time at least Deputy Gov^. of 
Montreal ; thus we see how little men may grow to be great 
ones. 

I dont hear of your having rose above a Col'. Yet — was it 
not for your ill fated name, I dont see why you might not 

* Benjamin Douglas (Yale 1760) died in New Haven on December 3. 

t Dr. Leverett Hubbard (Yale 1744) had been a Colonel in the Militia. 

t Sarah Sloan, of New Haven, married James Gourlie on November 22, 
1775. 

§ Jonathan Ingersoll married Grace, daughter of Ralph Isaacs, in April, 
1786. He abstained from taking any part in the Revolution. 

!i James Lockwood, a classmate at Yale (1766) of Jonathan Ingersoll and 
Jared Ingersoll, Jr., and a shopkeeper in New Haven, had lately joined the 
Northern army in Canada. 



460 JAEED INGEESOLL PAPEES, 1770-81, 

expect soon to be a General — for I am told you are sufficiently 
orthodox, and Every body knows that you are not wanting in the 
Article of Courage, and that you have a very particular turn for 
the Labour & fatigues of a Military life. I should like to sit 
Perdu'e behind some tree, & see you Engage with a great, 

Brawny, whiskered Russian 

I am 

Y^. &c 

J. Ingersoll. 
[To 

Jon*^. Ingersoll Esq''. 
at 

N: Haven 

Connecticut. ] 



Philad^ Eeb : 20'^ 1776 

I am obliged to Co\ Wyllys for remembring me, to whom 
present my Comp^ when you shall see him, & let him know, 
that the present are times which I believe neither he or I 
prayed for. Civil wars but ill agree with his natural turn or 
mine — our Caracteristick prayer being "Lord give L^s peace in 
our day." But it seems we are to have Commissioners soon 
from England, to settle all these Disputes ; and what think 
you. Shall we settle them or not ? Some people will tell you that 
if we have Common Sense* we shall not. If you ask my 
opinion I will give you a Cybeline Answer, which is, that we 
will Settle if we have a mind to, if not we wont; whether we 
shall Incline to a Settlement, or a total Seperation, I will'tell you 
after I know the Issue of the Conference. One thing however 
I will Venture to tell you before hand, which is that England 
will not leave to us to make our Election, I believe, whether we 
will Seperate from them or not, so that I infer we shall Either 
have Universal peace within the Course of perhaps a few weeks, 

* This powerful pamphlet by Thomas Paine, then of Philadelphia, first 
appeared on January 10, 1776. 



JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1770-81. 461 

or months at furthest, or a downright, bloody war. And now, I 
am thinking, if anv one shonld take in hand to open this Letter, 
whether he would deem me Conjuror or Tray tor for making 
such wonderful guesses, ]\F. Babcock has given us great pleas- 
ure by an ample Account of Occurrences — some disagreeable & 
some Laughable. Oh ! how I did run round the Chair & 
laugh, to hear the prayer that was not made at Town Meeting — 
Cum multis aliis. 

We are waiting for the first of April to arrive — and yet we 
know that is an unlucky day; we wait for it, your Aunt at 
least, in hopes of being able about that time to set out for IST. 
Haven. Should we be made April fools by finding ourselves 
all at full Liberty to go where we please — and a full pacifica- 
tion taken place, we will not regret having the Epithet applied 
to us. 

it is a long time since we have heard from Son, owing, I sup- 
pose, to the times — all Communication between the two Coun- 
tries being nearly cut off. 

I am &c 

J : Ingersoll. 

And pray what has M"^ Chandler done, that he should have a 
fit — he is neither a Glutton or Wine bibber nor yet Idle. I 
hope he is well again. Make my Comj)\ to him with my Con- 
gratulations for his recovery. 

Receiving in your last another Goading to Exercise, from 
the frequency of Apoplectick & other disorders I hastily 
ordered up the old horse & rode about two Miles to M'. Hamil- 
tons* — 'twas pretty cold-, so I got down & spent an hour with 
my old friend & then came home again. While I was unboot- 
ing I told your Aunt I hoped now, I should have no more of 
your hints & your rules about Exercise & temperance; that you 
knew I had left off drinking grog & Eating meat Suppers, & 
that I should take care to acquaint you with this Journey. 

* James Hamilton, of Philadelphia, born 1710, died 1783, had repeatedly 
serA'ed as deputy-governor of the Province. 



462 JARED IlSrGEESOLL PAPERS, 1Y70-81, 

This Journey ! says she, what, a ride of two miles ha ! Well, 
but, says I, you know I rode more than twice as far last Oct''. 

Mar. 6. What shall be done with the Garden ? if M^. Ship- 
man moves away I wish some one would take the Garden, plant 
it & have all the profits; whatever your Aunts family may 
want out of it shall be paid for. I doubt whether she will come 
to you as soon as we have talkt of. What can we say or think 
upon that head, when Every thing is so Unsettled, & when we at 
least hope Every thing may be Settled before very long. 

J. I. 
[To 

Jon*'": Ingersoll Esq"", 
at 

!N^: Haven 

Connecticut 
p'". favour of IF. Babcock*] 

Philad":Mar: 13*^ 1Y76 
S^ 

I wrote you lately by M'. Babcock, since which I have 
received yours of the d^. I just now learnt that M"^. Sherman 
sets out for ]^. Haven to morrow, so I just put pen to paper. 
. . Cap^^ Chew & Hughes, who called to see me two 
days ago, gave me some reason to believe that M^. Shipman will 
not remove from IST Haven very soon. It would give me pleas- 
ure to hear that he was not g'oing, as I begin to suspect your 
Aunt will not get to you, so soon as we talkt of — and we know 
that he would take better care of the Garden and all that, than 
a certain other Gentleman, whom was it worth while I could 
name. 

poor Doc. Whittelseylt well; he cannot be recalled — all the 
kindness we can now shew him is to love & cherish his widow, 

* "Mr. Babcock" was probably the Rev. Luke Babcock (Yale 1755), 
formerly of New Haven, but noAv of Philipsburgh (Yonkers), N. Y. 

tDr. Samuel Whittelsey (Yale 1764), of Milford, born 1745, died Jan- 
uary 15. 1776. 

He married Mary, daughter of Dr. Leverett Hubbard, of New Haven, 
and left to her his entire estate. 



JAEED INGERSOLL I'APEKS, lTTO-81. 463 

to whom he has been so liberal. We trust you will not be want- 
ing in this particular — & we hope all is for the best. 

You ask me several political questions, some of which I 
believe are of too delicate a nature for me to answer, was I able ; 
however, M"". Babcock will be able to inform you of Every thing 
that he knows ; and I am very certain he knows to the full as 
much as I do. I will only tell you that the same guesses were 
early made here respecting the real Author of Common Sense, 
that you make. There is just published here an Answer to 
that performance called plain truth by Candidus — also a Course 
of Letters in the News papers signed, Cato. We have the same 
report also which you mention, respecting a certain Gentlemans 
going to Europe, but how well founded I will not say. 

A Packet is arrived at ]^ York by which I hope to receive 
a Letter from Son. 

I am oblio:ed to M'^. Darline; for remembrina: me. The Scene 

O O c* 

begins to thicken. I think we shall have ISTews Enough soon & 
I should be fully willing to canvas these Subjects a little in a 
litterary way — but you know how critical Letter writing is 
become. 

I am &c 

J: IngersoU. 

I perceive by the publick papers, they have Split the old Soir 
and Crackt the Congress near Boston." I shall be glad to be 
informed whether these breaches are, by the people your way, 
thought to be irreparable. 
[To 

Jon*". Ingersoll Esq' 
at 

N: Haven 
p^ favour of R. Sherman Esq''.] 

Philad^ Ap^ 4'^^ 1776 
S' 

I have at length Concluded to break up house Keeping at 
this place, carr\^ my household goods to Burlington & transport 

* The reference is to cannon used in the siege of Boston. 



464 JAKED IlfGERSOLL PAPERS, 1770-81. 

the family, at least all besides myself, to JST, Haven, & all some 
time in the Course of the present Month. 

]Srow S"^ I have to desire of you to transmit to me full and 
particular Answers to the following Queries. 

1 Does M'. Shipman remove away from l!^: Haven or not; 
it will be very agreeable to me & to your Aunt to have him, or 
you, with a small family live in the house. 

2 Will it be prudent or not for her to come up in the 
Chariot. Your Aunt wishes, for the Conveniency of it, to ride 
up in it, but does not think of keeping it in Use after getting 
there; she will be Content with one horse & some old riding 
Chair just to carry her now and then to the water side.* 

3 May I come & live at I^. Haven or may I not. It is not 
very likely to me that I shall ever again officiate in the office I 
hold, but I "shall by all means Choose to draw the Salary until 
I shall be able to part with it upon some Composition with Gov- 
ernment. By the late law of Connecticut a person, I think, 
forfeits his Estate by taking refuge on board a Man of War. I 
think it must be rather hard for a Man who owns an Estate in 
that Colony, not to be allowed to live on nor yet to leave it. I 
can live here without any kind of difficulty from the people, but 
you know it would be most convenient for me to be with the 
family. 

I am &c. 

J: IngersoU. 

We have heard from Son as late as the 23^. of Dec"". 

We send our goods up to Burlington as I said, about 20 
Miles, with M'" Reeds who moves to that place. When he will 
get away he cannot tell exactly. So, of course, I cannot tell 
you just when we shall move. Further we expect M"^. Webster 
& a daughter of his, will go to ISTew England & Escort your 
Aunt, in case I dont go with her myself, which is the reason 

* Mrs. IngersoU died in New Haven on October 8, 1779, aged 66 years; 
and lier husband was again married, about three months later, to Hannah 
(Miles), widow of Enos Ailing (Yale 1746), of New Haven. She was 
eleven years his junior, and survived him. 



JAKED INGEKSOLL PAPEKS, 1770-81. 465 

why I have not called on you or ]Vr. Shipman, for that pur- 
pose. If that plan shall fall through, I may yet write you, 
to meet us at least as far as Paulies hook ferry,* N: York. 

I hope the needfull will, by some means, be done to the Gar- 
den. 
[To 

Jon*'' : Ingersoll Esq', 
at 

'N : Haven 

Connecticut. ] 

Philad^ April 13*^ 1776 
S' 

I duly received your favour p''. M''. Sherman & am glad to 
find that M'. Shipman thinks of tarrying still at IST Haven. 

M^ Sherman, who by the way talks of taking my house here, 
furniture & all, for the Summer, tells me, as do Co^ Dyer & 
others, that they think I may go to IT. Haven without difficulty. 
I hope to hear you more fully on this head in a few days.f In 
the meantime, know that people here generally say Doc'^. Smith 
is the Author of Caio — & that some one in Jersey, I dont know 
who, wrote Plain Truth, j There is a ]VP. Wells of this place 
also, said to be the author of certain pieces on the same Side 
with Cato — one piece last week signed R, on the same Side is 

* Jersey City. 

t The Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania issued on August 4, 
1777, a warrant for the arrest of Judge Ingersoll, and for his being held 
on his parole in Winchester, Virginia, or (at his option) in Hartford, 
Connecticut. Four days later they advised him to remain in Philadelphia 
for a few weeks longer. On September 4 they directed him to depart to 
Connecticut, which he did. 

His son returned from Europe early in 1778, after about five years' 
absence, and settled in Philadelphia. 

fit is now believed that the Rev. Dr. William Smith was the author 
of Plain Truth; a series of Letters to the People of Pennsylvania, signed 
Cato, which appeared in Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet, in March and 
April, 1776, are here referred to as also his. 

The article signed R. appeared in the issue of the same paper for April 8. 

The articles addressed to Cato by Cassandra appeared in the same paper 
for March and April. 



4:66 JARED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1770-81. 

supposed to have been wrote by the Pensilvania Farmer, This 
Gentleman, I suppose you know, is warmly for a Reconciliation 
& of course opposed in that particular to Messrs Adams's & 
Others. I may not add at this only that I have this day Deliv- 
ered to your M'. Austin a number of Articles to forward to New 
Haven. We shall hardly get away under two or three weeks. 

I am &c 

eT: Ingersoll. 

Doc'". Rush it is said writes Cassandra, ag\ Cato; tis not 
unlikely that several other persons have a hand in it as in writ- 
ing Common Sense. 
[To . 

Jon'^' : Ingersoll Esq^. 
at 

1^: Haven 
p^'. favour of M^ Austin] 



Letter to Dr. Benjamin Gale. 

ISTew Haven Octo^ 30'\ 1779.* 
Dear Sir 

T duly received your favour of the 28*^ two days ago, and 
soon after that, the Manuscripts. I have gone through the first 
number & shall take care to send it to you, agreeable to your 
desire, by the very first opportunity. 

I do assure you I read this first 'N°. with great avidity — with 
much pleasure; but not without some pain. When I found 
you promising not to be intimidated by Councils, or influenced 
by popular names, I gave you full Credit from my knowledge 

* The latest known product of Mr. Ingersoll's pen is a series of eight 
letters, written between October, 1779, and May, 1781, to his old friend. 
Di'. Benjamin Gale, on the subject of the Scripture prophecies; the first 
(and briefest) of these is here given, from a copy in his own hand, preserved 
in the Yale University Library, by way of specimen. 

Mr. Ingersoll's comparative sanity of judgment appears in refreshing 
contrast to Dr. Gale's wild and prejudiced assumptions. 



JAEED INGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1Y70-81. 4:f)7 

of the Man, and when I found you advancing as a general prin- 
ciple, that we ought to look for a literal fulfilment of prophe- 
cies — urging that a Spiritual, mystical Accomplishment, not 
warranted by the common and usual import of the words, was 
no Accomplishment at all, as carrying no kind of proof with it, 
I was highly delighted. I went forward — read your account 
of the Creation — Clever, said I, plain simple narration of 
facts — no room to imagine a thousand hidden mysteries — right. 
Then come the Story of the Judgment denounced on the first 
pair and upon the Serpent. ISTotice is taken of the plain & 
obvious import of the words "that the Serpent was more Subtil 
than the other beasts" — ^the probability that he could talk — the 
probable Alteration in his Shape &c all arising from the literal 
meaning of the words made use of. ITotice is also taken of the 
well known general Antipathy to Snakes, on the part of man; 
it is also very well known that men often kill the Snake by 
Stamping on the head with the heel and that the Snake in his 
turn sometimes gets a Chance to bite the Man in the same part 
This is all very well, thinks I — and when I further found that 
Adams Sin was personal — the Soul probably material tho' 
immortal — and Christ the first of all Creatures, why ; where is 
the Doctor going, said I ; instead of quarreling with him for 
Servilely treading the gi'ound beaten by Schoolmen, I shall for 
ever admire him as a kind of original, who dared to think for 
himself, and to speak what he thought ; but how were all my 
Joys & flattering hopes Chilled, when I found that this same 
good Doctor had discovered the Devil & the Messiah, in the plain 
simple Story of Adam and the Snake ! 

I took of my Spectacles — hung them gently across my left 
little finger — threw myself back in my Chair, and Exclaimed, 
Oh Doctor, Doctor ! Physician heal thyself. 

After recovering a little from my Surprize, I had recourse to 
my bible — I turned to the sad Story of Adams fall, and read it 
all over again, as I had done before a great many times ; I 
peeped for the Devil, and look't hard to see if I could discern 
the least glimpse of his glorious Counterpart, but could see 
nothinff that look't like Either. 



468 JAEED IXGEESOLL PAPERS, 1770-81. 

how have I known people in a Delirium, with Eager Eyes, 
and Anxious looks, point to some part of the room & cry out — 
there — there is such a thing or such a Person — do you not see 
it, why there it is, right before you — and after all I could say 
to them, I could not convince them that there was no such 
thing as they thought they saw — nor could they convince me 
that there was. But why should we be angry at one another 
for Seeing, or not Seeing, what we cannot help Seeing, or can- 
not See at all ? I am resolved I will not^ — and now to proceed. 

I hope, from what I have seen of your general plan, that I 
shall find myself placed, where I have often placed myself, in 
the Situation of an honest Jew or Gentile, with the old Testa- 
ment in his hand, at the time when our Saviour came into the 
world — hearing his pretensions & that of some others, such as 
Theudas & Judas mentioned in the fifth Chapter of the Acts, 
and Examining with the utmost Care the Several Claims, to See 
which of them, or whether Either, were warranted and sup- 
ported by those Scriptures. Such person would, you know, 
have to throw out of his way a deal of learned lumber, com- 
piled by Hebrew Doctors, before he could come at the naked 
text, and had he been bred a Jew, he would find by much the 
hardest task would be to divest himself intirely of all precon- 
ceived Opinion ; but this both he & I ought to do, to the best of 
our power. 

here then I will stand, Jew or Gentile which you please, and 
with the truest Satisfaction will follow you, through all the 
Mazes of that Miscelanous Book, & will Examin with the great- 
est freedom and at the same time with the utmost Candour, the 
important question, what is the real Caracter, office and 
business of that Personage, commonly called the Messiah, as 
described in the old Testament. 

your first prediction, I have already taken some notice of. 
It (that is the Seed of the woman) Shall bruise thy (i. e. the 
Serpents) head and thou shalt bruise his heel. You tell me this 
intimates the future appearance of a great Personage who shall 
set a Church in the world, and wage a long war with the Devil 



JAEED IXGERSOLL PAPEES, 



469 



& all that ; to this I can only say that I, poor Jew, or Gentile, 
can discover nothing at all of any Such thing. 

You next urge the declaration made to Abraham Gen: xii. 
and xxii. and in several other places "that in him and in his 
Seed, all the nations — and Sometimes it is said, all the families 
of the Earth shall be blessed." 

Jew — I see nothing particular in this ; it appears that God 
had repeatedly declared that Abraham & his posterity (by the 
way the word 8eed is nomen Collectivum like the word Cask, 
and may be used either singularly or plurally) should possess 
the land of Canaan — that they should be a great and powerfull 
ISTation, able to give the Law to other T^ations — or as it is said, 
"SJiall possess the gate of his Enemies," and that the other 
ITations should be happy to be under their wing & protection. 
I see nothing mysterious in this matter, nor any thing that 
relates to what^you call the Messiah — that word, you know, sig- 
nifieth a Crowned head. I am informed by this book that 
Abraham's posterity after many disappointments did get pos- 
session of this same Country, and am only puzzled to account 
for it, consistently with other declarations, that they so soon lose 
that possession. 

You next quote Deut: xviii, where God saith, ''I will raise 
them (the Children of Israel) up a Prophet from among their 
brethren like unto thee," Moses. 

Jew — Well, and what then ? it is abundantly Evident from 
many after passages in the book of Deut^ that the Successor of 
Moses alluded to in that declaration, was Joshua, who took the 
Command upon the death of Moses, and conducted the Israel- 
ites into Palestine. I cannot see any thing here about a 
Messiah. 

these I think are all the proofs you bring from the five books 
of Moses so called. Your next is taken from Isaiah, many a 
hundred years after the Creation & fall of Man; but let us 
hear what Isaiah saith Chap : vii. "behold a Virgin shall Con- 
ceive «&: bear a Son and shall call his name immanuel." I will 
here give you the Answer wdiich a learned Jew actually gave 
me many years ago, upon my Urging this text upon him. 



470 JAEED INGERSOLL PAPERS, 1770-81. 

Jew — the whole of this Story as related in this and the Suc- 
ceeding Chapter, appears to be as follows. 

Jerusalem was invaded by two Nations of Enemies. Aliaz 
the King was fearfull of the Consequences. Isaiah the Prophet 
assures him that he shall not be Conquered by them, & in Evi- 
dence of his declaration gives him this Sign or proof — that a 
Virgin shall have a Child — that his name shall be immanuel 
(by the way Christs name was Jesus) that this Child should be 
fed upon butter & honey — and that before he should arrive to 
years of discretion and know the difference between Moral good 
& Evil, the Country of these his Enemies should be forsaken — 
that this same Prophet went & lay with a Prophetess (who 
must have been a Maiden). She had a Child — his name is 
Ma-her-Sha-lal-hash-baz, and before this Child shall be old 
enough to begin to talk — to say Papa & Mama, the two Enemy 
Illations shall become desolate. 'Now whether these two names 
have or have not similar meanings — and whether it was strictly 
proper to call a young womans first child, the child of a Virgin, 
as we say a heifer calf, and whether the Event turned up 
agreeable to the prediction, we are not now Concerned to know ; 
it is Enough that we do know that the point & design of the 
prophecy was to have an Event happen that should be proof to 
King Ahaz of what the Prophet had said — and this must have 
happened then, at that time, in the Course of a few years at fur- 
thest — nor is here the least hint that this Child should be a 
King either temporal or Spiritual, nothing that looks like a 
Messiah in the whole Story. When you have recourse there- 
fore to this passage in Isaiah in proof of this or that Person 
claiming to be the Messiah, it is by no means fair to tell me 
that Isaiah said, A Virgin should have a Child, & say no 
.more; you ought to repeat the two following Verses at least & 
tell me that Isaiah further said that before that Child should 
know to refuse the Evil & Choose the good, the land that Ahaz 
abhoiTed should be forsaken of both her Kings. I will not 
insist, said the Jew, on the difficulty of my being able to know 
whether this reputed Child of Joseph was differenced from his 
other Children in the manner of his Conception, or not. 



JAEED INGEKSOLL PAPERS, 1770-81. 471 

We are now come to a period in the Jewish history, when 
mention is made of an Expectation that some Extraordinary 
Person should arise who should retrieve their affairs and reform 
the people ; this period is the time of the Babylonish Captivity, 
but before I go into a Consideration of the passages relat- 
ing to this matter it will be proper to take a Summary View of 
the State of the Jewish ISTation at that time. Before I enter 
upon this I will give you & myself a little respite and will then 
resume the argument, after which you shall hear from me again, 
in the mean time, I remain 

Your obed*'. humb^ Serv*. 
J: I. 
To Benj". Gale Esq^ 
Copy 



Letter of Jared Ingeesoll, Junior. 

Philadelphia Sept' [missing] 
B\ Sir, 

I have received your's & IVF. Whittleseys favours, giving me 
the Account of the Death of the best of Fathers. At any time, 
the loss would have been very severe ; particular Circumstances 
concurred to render it additionally so, & to occasion my suffer- 
ing with the most particular Sensibility; will explain myself 
in a future Letter. At present I am not sufficiently coniposed. 
present my most affectionate Compliments to my good Mother. 
I feel almost as much for her as for myself, assure her that 
she may rely upon the first moment I can, I will come up & pay 
my Eespeets to her — by the middle of next month at the far- 
thest. 

I am C. Sir your very afflicted friend 
J. Ingersoll. 

P.S. My thanks to my Uncle Whittlesey 
for his Attention to me. — J. I. 
[Jon°. Ingersoll Esq'^ 

iN'ew-haven] 



472 jaeed ii^geesoll papees, 1770-81. 

Epitaph 
in the Crypt of the First Church, 'New Haven 

In Memory of 

The Hon^i* JARED INGERSOLL Esq. 

Judge of the Court of Vice Admiralty 

in the Middle District 

in America. 

A man of an uncommon Genius, 

which was cultivated 

By a liberal Education at Yale College, 

And improved by the Study of Mankind, 

And of Laws, Policy and Government, 

He distinguished himself at the Bar, 

Where his perspicuity and Energy in Reasoning 

And Equality in Conducting Causes, 

Elevated him 

To the First Eminence in his Profession. 

Under the appointment of the General Assemble 

He was twice honoured 

With the AGENCY from CONNECTICUT 

At the Court of Great Britain. 

His Morals were unblemished. 

He was thoughtful, collected and sagacious, 

open and sincere, 

mild, affable, and courteous. 

Adapting himself to all 

By a rich Variety of sentiment and Expression 

Yet preserving in his whole Behavior 

A graceful and majestic Dignity. 

He died Aug. 25*11 A.D. 1781 

.ffi:tat. 60. 

By his side lieth also interred. 

His amiable Consort 

M"-^ HANNAH INGERSOLL 

Who departed this Life 

Oct g"! A.D. 1779 

Aged 66 Years. 



HIO7 75 



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"^^ INDIANA 



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'S .h^ 




xO-n^ 



